Business · Malaysia Bureau
UK Tax Authorities Launched Probe into Manchester City in 2018
Britain's revenue and customs authority initiated an investigation into the Abu Dhabi-backed football club following the publication of leaked emails by a German news magazine. The probe emerged from correspondence disclosed in late 2018.
LSN Malaysia ·

The UK's Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) opened a formal investigation into Manchester City in 2018, according to reports of the tax authority's actions at the time.
The inquiry was triggered after Der Spiegel, Germany's prominent weekly news publication, published a series of leaked emails in late 2018. The correspondence raised questions about the club's financial dealings and corporate structure.
Manchester City, owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, has been one of English football's most successful clubs in recent years, winning multiple Premier League titles and domestic cups. The club's financial operations and ownership structure have periodically drawn scrutiny from regulatory authorities.
The disclosure of the HMRC investigation represented a significant development in discussions surrounding financial oversight in professional football. Regulatory bodies across Europe have maintained heightened attention to the financial affairs of major football clubs, particularly regarding ownership transparency and compliance with tax obligations.