Tens of thousands of pounds raised for Martin Johnson's testimonial season have been withheld from the England rugby union team manager amid fears that the heroes of the 2003 World Cup-winning team have been targeted by the taxman. Kevin Eason writes in The Times.
"Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, has been asked to explain whether the sport's stars are the subject of a crackdown while the fundraising committee that worked on Johnson's benefit year wait in limbo for a verdict from tax inspectors.
"There is growing concern that several members of the 2003 side have been singled out for examination of their benefit seasons. But Johnson's case, which has dragged on for four years, has now reached Parliament. Edward Garnier, the Shadow Justice Minister, has asked Darling to provide a list of the players investigated. He is also demanding that the Chancellor makes clear what the tax liabilities are for sportsmen in their testimonial years."
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