Gareth Southgate caught up in tax avoidance dispute on eve of debut as England coach
He invested in two partnerships set up by a film investment fund, Ingenious, which is accused by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of being part of an elaborate scheme to avoid paying tax, the Daily Mirror said
England interim manager Gareth Southgate is among hundreds of rich clients caught up in a multi-million-pound tax avoidance dispute with British authorities, a newspaper reported on Friday, on the eve of his first match in charge.
Southgate invested in two partnerships set up by a film investment fund, Ingenious, which is accused by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of being part of an elaborate scheme to avoid paying tax, the Daily Mirror said.
A source close to the former England player said he made the investments in 2004 in good faith and would not challenge any tax demand that might arise when the case was resolved.
But the timing is embarrassing for the 46-year-old and for the Football Association, the English game’s governing body, as they hope to draw a line under former manager Sam Allardyce’s controversial exit.
Southgate takes charge of England for the first time in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Malta, barely a fortnight after his predecessor quit in disgrace after just 67 days and one game at the helm.
Allardyce, 61, was secretly filmed by undercover reporters giving advice on how to circumnavigate transfer rules and mocking England predecessor Roy Hodgson.