The Treasury Committee has asked HM Revenue and Customs to examine the possible tax implications of the Premier League’s investigation into Manchester City.
Dame Meg Hillier, the committee’s chair, has written to HMRC chief executive JP Marks to ask whether the department has received an unredacted version of the Premier League’s report into the club.
HMRC could investigate whether Manchester City paid the correct amount of tax and national insurance during the nine seasons in which the club was found guilty of financial rule breaches.
In her letter, Hillier requested “reassurance from HMRC that you are seized of the importance of these issues and the public interest in the case”. She also asked for an overview of HMRC’s current work involving football clubs.
Hillier said she would be interested in any common taxation issues identified in clubs’ practices, including the taxation of remuneration, and asked how HMRC was addressing them.
HMRC has been given until Thursday October 15, 2026, to respond to the committee.
Manchester City deny all the allegations and intend to appeal against the verdict. The club must lodge its appeal by Friday October 2.
The Premier League investigation began after hacked internal emails were published by German magazine Der Spiegel in 2018. The material appeared to suggest that former City manager Roberto Mancini had a second contract, under which he received £1.45 million net from the club while an Italian-connected company was paid £1.75 million for a four-day annual coaching consultancy with Abu Dhabi-based UAE Pro League club Al Jazira.
