Alex Ferguson and pals face huge film tax dodge bill as HMRC rules against them
Retired Manchester United boss is among dozens of big footie names told to pay up - with some facing bankruptcy
SIR Alex Ferguson is among a host of footie stars given 90 days to pay tax bills worth millions in a crackdown on avoidance schemes.
The retired Manchester United boss, 75, is among dozens of big names told to pay by May 22 — with some facing bankruptcy.
Ex-England bosses Sven-Goran Eriksson, 69, and Glenn Hoddle, 59, are also being pursued.
They are among 800 investors who put £2.2billion into film investment scheme Eclipse.
They had been told it was a legal and efficient way to avoid paying tax.
It involved buying and renting back Hollywood films to studios, allowing members to shelter billions from government.
But HMRC has now ruled against them and hefty bills are being sent.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Tax experts said Ferguson and Eriksson are “wealthy enough to be able to pay up” but the majority of investors “are likely to go bankrupt”.
Ex-footballers Gordon Durie, Chris Sutton and Duncan Ferguson have already gone bankrupt.
An HMRC spokesman said: “Avoidance does not pay. Most scheme users end up having to pay all the tax due plus interest.
“Many will be worse off than if they had just paid the right tax up front.”
Carr fear for career
JIMMY Carr feared his career was over when he was exposed for using a tax avoidance scheme.
He was condemned by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2012 for using the K2 tax shelter but insists he has paid back all the money he should have contributed.
The comedian, 44, was forced to release a statement at the time admitting to avoiding tax through the legal scheme.
Speaking on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, which airs this morning, Carr also reveals that he never wants to retire.