Own goal on tax

THE passing of the great Nat Lofthouse, on the day a raft of multi-millionaire England footballers were accused of being tax dodgers, provides another example of the sport's diminishing values.

Described as "a talisman" by no less an authority than Sir Bobby Charlton, Lofthouse was a rarity – a man totally loyal to one club, Bolton Wanderers, throughout an illustrious career. Yet this old-fashioned centre forward and his post-war contemporaries did not play just for money, though they were rewarded modestly. They played because of a love of a game.

Contrast this to today's Premier League prima donnas who are naively regarded as role models. As well as achieving little internationally, they appear to be mercenaries driven by money rather than loyalty to the club that nurtured their talent and financial wealth.

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Given the extent to which "fans" are being squeezed by a raft of tax-raising measures, the Government should order an immediate inquiry into the financial affairs of top-flight footballers – and legislate to close any tax loopholes that may exist. Anything less will be viewed as an own goal on the part of both the Treasury and football's ruling bodies.