A LEADING Premier League club is being investigated by the FA and HMRC for making offshore payments to agents.
The outfit have been using some of their foreign ‘partner’ teams to disguise money paid for deals coming into their own playing squads in England.
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The FA have been working with the taxman following checks on payments made through their own ‘clearing’ system and after complaints from other agents who knew of the practice.
The  club  have   been   paying agents fees from their European partners, often as scouting agreements.
This has seen large sums involved going to agencies rather than paying them here for their part in genuine transfers.
I understand as many as SIXTEEN deals are being scrutinised to check the money trails involved in moves that have been flagged up.
Many Premier League club owners have satellite teams.
And they are allowed to use this advantage to loan players or groom younger stars for a career in the top flight here.
However, in this case the rogue outfit have disguised the fees.
This means they have been keeping their Financial Fair Play costs and the tax bills of agents down in this country.
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HMRC are also taking an interest in any findings if it is proved there has been wrongdoing.
But the FA are currently taking the lead and have the power to fine the club heavily.
And with many transfers under review, it could be a SEVEN-FIGURE penalty once the probe is over.
