Premier League side Southampton Owner Katharina Liebherr "has become embroiled in an investigation by the German tax authorities which could increase the pressure on her to sell the club," according to Matt Hughes of the LONDON TIMES. The public prosecutor's office is reportedly "investigating the tax liability" of her late father, Markus Liebherr, who bequeathed Southampton to Katharina after his death in '10 along with several other companies forming part of Mali Holdings. The German authorities are investigating "whether they are entitled to levy taxes against the beneficiaries of Markus Liebherr's estate" after receiving "allegations that he spent more time" in Germany than was previously realized. The German-born Swiss industrialist "claimed Zurich was his main residence, but he also had property in Germany." The Liebherr investigation is reportedly "focused on all those who received payouts from his estate and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by his daughter but, as she was the biggest beneficiary, any retrospective tax bill would potentially have significant implications for Southampton." The club, with a valuation of £200M ($259.2M), is Liebherr's "biggest asset" in a portfolio worth an estimated £300M ($389M) and a large tax bill would "increase the pressure on her to sell." Liebherr has been seeking new investment in the club for more than a year and negotiations over a proposed £190M ($246M) sale to Lander Sports Development are continuing (LONDON TIMES, 6/7).
