West Ham insist it’s business as usual despite being investigated over £5m tax fraud probe

Apr 27, 2017

WEST HAM insist it is business as usual, despite being investigated in a £5million tax probe.

HRMC officials swooped on the club’s London Stadium and training ground in Rush Green early on Wednesday morning before leaving with paperwork.

West Ham are under investigation from HMRC

Hammers staff fully co-operated with the investigation that is believed to be centre on a suspected income tax and National Insurance fraud.

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While the club’s players and management were not present at either the stadium or training ground as they were on a day off and no arrests were made.

On Thursday, boss Slaven Bilic was gagged from speaking about the on-going investigation.

Instead it was just a normal day at the club – with striker Andy Carroll ruled out for another match through a groin injury.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic faces the media on Wednesday morning

HMRC officers raided the Hammers London Stadium home yesterday — HMRC officers raided the Hammers’ London Stadium home yesterday

An HMRC officer unloads boxes to sift through West Hams tax files — An HMRC officer unloads boxes to sift through West Ham’s tax files

Bilic said: “We have got Mark Noble back from suspension but Andy will not be back for this game.

“I expected him to be back for this game against Stoke but he should be for the next game against Spurs, he should be ok.”

Bilic might have dodged questions about his club’s own investigation by the authorities however, he did have his say on Joey Barton’s 18-month ban for betting.

Barton, 34, received the punishment for flouting gambling rules, and while Bilic says it is right the midfielder was punished, he also added that it was hypocritical for football authorities to punish people for betting when there is so much gambling sponsorship in the sport – including at his own club.

Bilic added: “Gambling is bigger now. It is a bit of hypocrisy as well.

“When I was playing I didn’t see a lot of adverts for gambling. Now, at half-time they are twice or three times and most of the adverts are for gambling.

Burnley midfielder Joey Barton has been banned for 18 months

“When I was playing players were also gambling and there wasn’t so much control. Now the FA are controlling it and have the instruments to find out.

“It’s a big business and nobody is stopping big businesses.

“But the players know it is a rule, like the rule that you can’t use your hands on the pitch.

Bartons ban relates to his time at Newcastle — Barton’s ban relates to gambling offences from his time at Newcastle

"You can't be involved in any sort of gambling, the players should know and they do - you don't have to remind them.

"It is a big shame when a player does that because the suspension is severe but it's his mistake and I don't know why he did it.

"It is severe but it has got to be severe. I'm not happy to see any suspensions but when they make such a big mistake then they are the one to blame."

Tags: Football Premier League Tax

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