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Open season on Manchester City

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have added their voice to the criticisms of Manchester City by threatening to take action if they discover any evidence of tax avoidance: Relentless in pursuing tax dodges

City have been under fire since Der Spiegel published a story alleging that City had evaded financial fair play regulations by attracting inflated sponsorships from businesses linked to the club's owners. Here is a link to Chapter One, but the German news magazine has published subsequent 'chapters' which can easily be found online as they go to town on the English club: Bending the rules

I have some sympathy with City and their fans. Financial fair play regulations are arguably anti-competitive and could be seen as an attempt by existing elite clubs in Europe to pull up the ladder behind them and shut out pesky newcomers like City and Paris Saint-Germain.

There is also an element of what Australians call the 'tall poppy syndrome' with resentment of City's success leading others to try and inflict reputational damage.

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