HMRC officials went to St James’ Park, where Newcastle have been celebrating a move back up to the Premiership, and also to the former Olympic stadium which is now home to the Hammers.

There have been reports that the raids relate to an investigation into transfer activity, and that Newcastle’s managing director Lee Charnley has been arrested.

A spokesman for HMRC said: ‘HMRC has arrested several men working within the professional football industry for a suspected income tax and National Insurance fraud.

‘180 HMRC officers have been deployed across the UK and France today.

‘Investigators have searched a number of premises in the North East and South East of England and arrested the men and also seized business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones.

‘The French authorities are assisting the UK investigation, have made arrests and several locations have been searched in France.

‘This criminal investigation sends a clear message that, whoever you are, if you commit tax fraud you can expect to face the consequences.

‘As this is an ongoing investigation HMRC is unable to provide any further detail at this time.’

Football club finances have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. Earlier this month the Treasury said it has initiated a specific football compliance project to tackle tax issues relating to players’ image rights. At the time HMRC announced that technical experts will visit all English Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premier League clubs over a three-year period.