Newcastle United and West Ham raided and arrests made in tax fraud probe
HMRC officials also visited Chelsea today, requesting information. No items were seized.
Press Association Sport understands there is no allegation of wrongdoing by anyone associated with the Premier League leaders.
A Chelsea spokesman said: "In connection with its wider investigation, HMRC has requested certain information which the club will provide."
The offices of Newcastle and West Ham have been raided by tax officials as part of an Anglo-French investigation into a suspected £5million fraud related to player transfers.
The coordinated raids, which included premises in France, took place on Wednesday morning and several men have been arrested, including Newcastle's managing director Lee Charnley.
A spokesperson for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said: "HMRC has arrested several men working within the professional football industry for a suspected £5million income tax and National Insurance fraud.
"180 HMRC officers have been deployed across the UK and France today. Investigators have searched a number of premises in the north east and south east of England and arrested the men and also seized business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones.
"The French authorities are assisting the UK investigation, have made arrests and several locations have been searched in France.
"This criminal investigation sends a clear message that, whoever you are, if you commit tax fraud you can expect to face the consequences."
Andy Wood, a director at Enterprise Tax Consultants, believes the dramatic move by HMRC reveals just how keen the authorities are to make examples of those suspected of tax evasion.
Speaking to Press Association Sport, Wood said: "In my opinion, HMRC is being very bold in describing this as fraud from the outset, as that is a criminal offence and potentially carries severe penalties for individuals whom it can prove have been guilty of such activity.
"However, the Revenue has not been shy of late in making clear its desire to tackle high-profile figures and companies whom it believes are avoiding or evading tax, partly because of the deterrent effect.
"In football, that has been certainly the case following HMRC's clamping down on the use of employee benefit trusts of the sort which were at the heart of Rangers' liquidation in 2012 and the recent hearing in the Supreme Court.
"As well as HMRC getting tougher with those even suspected of impropriety, the investigation involving Newcastle and West Ham provides yet more evidence of how its international reach in trying to bring tax evaders to book is continually being increased by co-operation with foreign tax authorities."
West Ham's involvement in the investigation has now been confirmed by the Premier League club.
A spokesperson said: "The club is cooperating fully with HMRC to assist their enquiries. No further comment will be made at this time."
The Hammers are currently 14th in the table, seven points above the relegation zone, after an eventful first season at the former Olympic stadium.
Several men have been arrested after 180 revenue and customs officers raided football premises in England as part of an investigation into alleged tax fraud.
HM Customs and Revenue (HMRC) said the raids took place in the north east and south east of England today.
Press Association Sport understands one of the raids was on Newcastle's St James' Park ground and the club's managing director Lee Charnley was among those arrested.
The 39-year-old Charnley became Newcastle's managing director three years ago, having quietly risen through the ranks at a club that has experienced considerable upheaval over the years.
Like his boss, club owner Mike Ashley, Charnley rarely, if ever, speaks to the media but has been credited for keeping manager Rafa Benitez at the club despite last season's relegation from the Premier League.
It has also been reported that the London Stadium, West Ham's ground, was raided.
In a statement, HMRC confirmed that the French authorities made co-ordinated raids in France.
It is believed that the joint investigation relates to transfer activity.
The British tax authorities have arrested "several men working within professional football" after co-ordinated raids of premises in the north east and south east of England on Wednesday.
Nearly 200 officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) took part in the raids, seizing computers, mobile phones and paperwork, with the French authorities making similar raids and arrests at locations in France.
In a statement, HMRC said: "HMRC has arrested several men working within the professional football industry for a suspected income tax and National Insurance fraud.
"180 HMRC officers have been deployed across the UK and France today. Investigators have searched a number of premises in the north east and south east of England and arrested the men and also seized business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones.
"The French authorities are assisting the UK investigation, have made arrests and several locations have been searched in France.
"This criminal investigation sends a clear message that, whoever you are, if you commit tax fraud you can expect to face the consequences. As this is an ongoing investigation HMRC is unable to provide any further detail at this time."
