HMRC to probe English Rugby

The only surprise at the news that HM Revenue and Customs is launching an investigation into the tax affairs of the grassroots game in England is that it has taken this long.

HMRC has apparently identified clubs who “may not be applying the PAYE regulations correctly” – in other words those regularly who pay ‘cash in hand’ off the books.

Apparently initially the investigation will involve National League One and Two clubs but may be expanded in future to lower echelons of the English club game.

Certainly the news will be causing a few palpitations amongst club treasurers up and down the country, discreet cash payments to players to cover “expenses” certainly having been a staple part of the grassroots game even before the advent of professionalism in 1995…

Total Flanker – the older I get, the better I was