HMRC Raid On West Ham Offices Threatens Vodafone, London Stadium Deal

The proposed naming rights deal between Vodafone and the London Stadium has yet to be signed, "leading to fears" that U.K. tax authority HMRC’s raid on the stadium last month has caused the telecom to "reconsider," according to Matt Hughes of the LONDON TIMES. A draft contract of a £20M ($25.8M), six-year deal has been with the Vodafone board since the start of last month, but "has not been signed off," with HMRC’s raid on EPL side West Ham United’s offices at the ground two weeks ago "providing a potential complication." HMRC’s raid was unrelated to the stadium, but "in light of its investigation into suspected tax fraud in transfers" involving West Ham and League Championship side Newcastle United, senior figures at Vodafone "questioned whether it is the right time to conclude a significant sponsorship deal involving a close association with the London club" (LONDON TIMES, 5/13).