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Former Newcastle United Player Sylvain Marveaux Arrested In Tax Evasion Probe

Former League Championship side Newcastle United player Sylvain Marveaux is "one of four people in custody in France after arrests by authorities investigating suspected tax evasion and money laundering," according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. The 31-year-old midfielder was arrested "during a series of co-ordinated raids in England and France." The three other people arrested in France are "understood to be football agents." Newcastle Managing Dir Lee Charnley was arrested by officers from U.K. tax authority HMRC and released on Wednesday. Marveaux joined Newcastle from Ligue 1 side Rennes in '11 on a five-year contract before signing a loan deal with Guingamp that "brought him back to France three years later." He now plays for Lorient. HMRC is "examining whether some football agents who were paid twice on the same transfer deal" -- once for representing a player and once for representing a club -- may have "only declared one side of the payment to the taxman." It is not known if "any of the individuals arrested behaved in this way" (LONDON TIMES, 4/27). The BBC reported the French Prosecutor's office said that "10 searches were carried out in France." The French Prosecutor's office said, "The British authorities suspect secret payments may have been made to benefit certain players, their agents or third parties, allowing them to avoid paying tax on the income, or making social security payments." French officials were asked by HMRC to "provide assistance" to its investigation in July '16. HMRC said that it searched premises in the northeast and southeast of England, and "seized business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones" (BBC, 4/27). In London, Rumsby & Chazan reported Newcastle scout Graham Carr also revealed he was "expecting to be interviewed by HMRC," which is leading the U.K. end of the investigation into a suspected £5M ($6.5M) fraud. Carr said, "They probably will be in touch with me. I'm here and I'm not hiding anything" (TELEGRAPH, 4/27).

RAFA BENÍTEZ: In London, Jack de Menezes reported Newcastle United Manager Rafa Benítez confirmed that the HMRC investigation into alleged tax evasion and National Insurance fraud has to do with transfers that happened at Newcastle "four or five years ago," with authorities in the U.K. and France investigating agents' fees and image rights. With the investigation ongoing, Benítez was "unable to discuss the matter at length," but he confirmed that the transfers being investigated have not taken place while he has been at the club. Benítez met with Newcastle Owner Mike Ashley on Thursday, three days after the club "secured an immediate return to the Premier League." Benítez: "I have spoken to Mike Ashley about preparing for next season. He congratulated us. I hope to meet him about my future next week" (INDEPENDENT, 4/27).

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