BREAKING: WIGAN FACE HMRC WINDING UP ORDER

Wigan Athletic: HMRC lodges winding-up petition against League One club
By Simon Stone


His Majesty's Revenue & Customs has lodged a winding-up petition against Wigan Athletic over unpaid tax bills, with a hearing date of 26 July.

It follows the English Football League placing the Latics under a transfer embargo last week for breaching league rules on tax payment.

Wigan will begin the League One season after relegation with an eight-point deduction for late payment of salaries.

It also understood money is outstanding from last month's salary payments.

The club has said it is in the process of being sold but one of the interested parties, 21-year-old businessman Sarbjot Johal, failed to gain EFL approval for his proposed purchase of Morecambe earlier this year.

Winding-up petitions can be resolved by payment of debt or by arrangement of a payment plan with the creditor, in this case HMRC itself.

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If one of the proposed buyers wasn't approved by the EFL with Morecambe, highly unlikely he'll be approved for Wigan. The rules are much tougher now (unless you're on the EFL Board obviously).

Worrying times for Wigan fans and I hope for their sake they can get through this without being put out of business.

Well that has serious implications for Wigan Warriors

Pheonix 2021 limited, the owners of Wigan athletic, also own the DW stadium

If they are wound up I guess the Warriors might have to find somewhere else to play?

Well that has serious implications for Wigan Warriors

Pheonix 2021 limited, the owners of Wigan athletic, also own the DW stadium

If they are wound up I guess the Warriors might have to find somewhere else to play?

Paul, I know it's your neck of the woods, so how close are they to being bought out; or is it potentially catastrophic?

Well that has serious implications for Wigan Warriors

Pheonix 2021 limited, the owners of Wigan athletic, also own the DW stadium

If they are wound up I guess the Warriors might have to find somewhere else to play?

Paul, I know it's your neck of the woods, so how close are they to being bought out; or is it potentially catastrophic?

Hi Sven. I'm going to make some enquiries. I know their club photographer really well.

If you had asked me a few weeks ago I would have said it was nothing more than time delay in getting money out of dubai. But now it seems that pheonix 2001 limited just don't want to pursue the project.

They have provided excuse after excuse re the salary and this is why they are now facing 8 point deduction.

But It is clear. These "excuses" must have been going on for a fair while for the HMRC to take this position. I mean a lot more than 3 months worth of excuses.

They have 2 interested investers. One who failed that for and proper persons test at Morecombe recently and one other who says hes local but I've never heard of him.

My worry he is just someone to keep the ball rolling until someone else does come along.

The thing is next year is going to be a relegation fight already

And there are not too many people who are going to want to invest in a side on its way down to division 2

When I hear more I'll let you know

Fingers crossed for them.( the club that is )

Well that has serious implications for Wigan Warriors

Pheonix 2021 limited, the owners of Wigan athletic, also own the DW stadium

If they are wound up I guess the Warriors might have to find somewhere else to play?

Paul, I know it's your neck of the woods, so how close are they to being bought out; or is it potentially catastrophic?

Hi Sven. I'm going to make some enquiries. I know their club photographer really well.

If you had asked me a few weeks ago I would have said it was nothing more than time delay in getting money out of dubai. But now it seems that pheonix 2001 limited just don't want to pursue the project.

They have provided excuse after excuse re the salary and this is why they are now facing 8 point deduction.

But It is clear. These "excuses" must have been going on for a fair while for the HMRC to take this position. I mean a lot more than 3 months worth of excuses.

They have 2 interested investers. One who failed that for and proper persons test at Morecombe recently and one other who says hes local but I've never heard of him.

My worry he is just someone to keep the ball rolling until someone else does come along.

The thing is next year is going to be a relegation fight already

And there are not too many people who are going to want to invest in a side on its way down to division 2

When I hear more I'll let you know

Thanks, Paul. I hope they sort it out. Wigan (the English version not the Welsh ) are a proper club!

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

In cases like this if there is any stealing as you call it then it's likely to be Wigan doing the stealing. The likelihood is that most of the debt is PAYE which has been deducted from the player's and staff's salaries and not paid over to HMRC. Once deducted it legally belongs to HMRC.

As with any business put into liquidation the Official Receiver handles the business assets. If they can sell it as a going concern then they will.

Anyone who is owed a debt can and will take out a winding-up petition if the company cannot pay their debts. Especially if the likelihood is that the debt to you will probably increase.

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

Ian, a football club is like any other business to HMRC. I run a payroll company and it takes a lot of non payments before HMRC come after the company.

In this case I suspect, just my conjecture, that Wigan are at least 9 months behind on their HMRC liabilties. They have probably been in consultation with HMRC for a staggered payment plan and I'm pretty sure they have defaulted on that plan. That's when HMRC get a bit riled and issue wind up orders.

Whilst we all hate HMRC, they are never quick to take a decision to wind up a company. Obviously Wigan are in serious financial grief and I suspect their only way out is to find an invester/new owner who will clear the debt.

Don't forget what HMRC do - they raise money to fund public services including the NHS, that we all use.
Wigan should be treated like any other business-not paying what's due when it's due can lead to this sort of action. Wigan players have been paid late on at least 9 occasions this season, which means that payments to hmrc are also likely to be late or unpaid. Winding up orders are a last resort and only taken after other avenues of settlement have been exhausted. Understandably HMRC are usually the last creditor to be paid, as a business will probably carry on paying those who are needed to run the business day to day. Doesn't mean that HMRC will go away - eventually they will come knocking and take action.

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

Ian, a football club is like any other business to HMRC. I run a payroll company and it takes a lot of non payments before HMRC come after the company.

In this case I suspect, just my conjecture, that Wigan are at least 9 months behind on their HMRC liabilties. They have probably been in consultation with HMRC for a staggered payment plan and I'm pretty sure they have defaulted on that plan. That's when HMRC get a bit riled and issue wind up orders.

Whilst we all hate HMRC, they are never quick to take a decision to wind up a company. Obviously Wigan are in serious financial grief and I suspect their only way out is to find an invester/new owner who will clear the debt.

That's my issue that the HMRC treat a football clue as just another business.

Its not like any other business. Regardless how bad a club is doing it has its loyal supporters. No other business has loyal customers like a sports club. Now I know and appreciate the fact the HMRC are quite tolerant when it comes to unpaid taxes but I struggle to believe they are doing the right thing Liquidating a club. For me they could take a club on, work out a reasonable selling price and go from there.

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

Ian, a football club is like any other business to HMRC. I run a payroll company and it takes a lot of non payments before HMRC come after the company.

In this case I suspect, just my conjecture, that Wigan are at least 9 months behind on their HMRC liabilties. They have probably been in consultation with HMRC for a staggered payment plan and I'm pretty sure they have defaulted on that plan. That's when HMRC get a bit riled and issue wind up orders.

Whilst we all hate HMRC, they are never quick to take a decision to wind up a company. Obviously Wigan are in serious financial grief and I suspect their only way out is to find an invester/new owner who will clear the debt.

That's my issue that the HMRC treat a football clue as just another business.

Its not like any other business. Regardless how bad a club is doing it has its loyal supporters. No other business has loyal customers like a sports club. Now I know and appreciate the fact the HMRC are quite tolerant when it comes to unpaid taxes but I struggle to believe they are doing the right thing Liquidating a club. For me they could take a club on, work out a reasonable selling price and go from there.

So how far would you let any business get away with not paying tax .HMRC are not the villains here and are ultimately responsible for collecting the taxes that pay for the running of this country.You must treat every business the same otherwise every one would take the piss claiming they are a special case.

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

Ian, a football club is like any other business to HMRC. I run a payroll company and it takes a lot of non payments before HMRC come after the company.

In this case I suspect, just my conjecture, that Wigan are at least 9 months behind on their HMRC liabilties. They have probably been in consultation with HMRC for a staggered payment plan and I'm pretty sure they have defaulted on that plan. That's when HMRC get a bit riled and issue wind up orders.

Whilst we all hate HMRC, they are never quick to take a decision to wind up a company. Obviously Wigan are in serious financial grief and I suspect their only way out is to find an invester/new owner who will clear the debt.

That's my issue that the HMRC treat a football clue as just another business.

Its not like any other business. Regardless how bad a club is doing it has its loyal supporters. No other business has loyal customers like a sports club. Now I know and appreciate the fact the HMRC are quite tolerant when it comes to unpaid taxes but I struggle to believe they are doing the right thing Liquidating a club. For me they could take a club on, work out a reasonable selling price and go from there.

Why though? The same could be said for many pubs, corner shops that are community based and have closed.

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

Ian, a football club is like any other business to HMRC. I run a payroll company and it takes a lot of non payments before HMRC come after the company.

In this case I suspect, just my conjecture, that Wigan are at least 9 months behind on their HMRC liabilties. They have probably been in consultation with HMRC for a staggered payment plan and I'm pretty sure they have defaulted on that plan. That's when HMRC get a bit riled and issue wind up orders.

Whilst we all hate HMRC, they are never quick to take a decision to wind up a company. Obviously Wigan are in serious financial grief and I suspect their only way out is to find an invester/new owner who will clear the debt.

That's my issue that the HMRC treat a football clue as just another business.

Its not like any other business. Regardless how bad a club is doing it has its loyal supporters. No other business has loyal customers like a sports club. Now I know and appreciate the fact the HMRC are quite tolerant when it comes to unpaid taxes but I struggle to believe they are doing the right thing Liquidating a club. For me they could take a club on, work out a reasonable selling price and go from there.

Why though? The same could be said for many pubs, corner shops that are community based and have closed.

You don't get 1000s going into a pub and you don't get other business benefitting from the 1000 going into that pub. I'm looking at the bigger picture.

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

Ian, a football club is like any other business to HMRC. I run a payroll company and it takes a lot of non payments before HMRC come after the company.

In this case I suspect, just my conjecture, that Wigan are at least 9 months behind on their HMRC liabilties. They have probably been in consultation with HMRC for a staggered payment plan and I'm pretty sure they have defaulted on that plan. That's when HMRC get a bit riled and issue wind up orders.

Whilst we all hate HMRC, they are never quick to take a decision to wind up a company. Obviously Wigan are in serious financial grief and I suspect their only way out is to find an invester/new owner who will clear the debt.

That's my issue that the HMRC treat a football clue as just another business.

Its not like any other business. Regardless how bad a club is doing it has its loyal supporters. No other business has loyal customers like a sports club. Now I know and appreciate the fact the HMRC are quite tolerant when it comes to unpaid taxes but I struggle to believe they are doing the right thing Liquidating a club. For me they could take a club on, work out a reasonable selling price and go from there.

Why though? The same could be said for many pubs, corner shops that are community based and have closed.

You don't get 1000s going into a pub and you don't get other business benefitting from the 1000 going into that pub. I'm looking at the bigger picture.

Where do you draw the line though? Rangers owed creditors £160m including £96m to hmrc. Should the government have just turned a blind eye for the good of the community?
We've been the subject of 4 or 5 winding up orders ourselves. We paid up, or negotiated a settlement, so could carry on trading.

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

Ian, a football club is like any other business to HMRC. I run a payroll company and it takes a lot of non payments before HMRC come after the company.

In this case I suspect, just my conjecture, that Wigan are at least 9 months behind on their HMRC liabilties. They have probably been in consultation with HMRC for a staggered payment plan and I'm pretty sure they have defaulted on that plan. That's when HMRC get a bit riled and issue wind up orders.

Whilst we all hate HMRC, they are never quick to take a decision to wind up a company. Obviously Wigan are in serious financial grief and I suspect their only way out is to find an invester/new owner who will clear the debt.

That's my issue that the HMRC treat a football clue as just another business.

Its not like any other business. Regardless how bad a club is doing it has its loyal supporters. No other business has loyal customers like a sports club. Now I know and appreciate the fact the HMRC are quite tolerant when it comes to unpaid taxes but I struggle to believe they are doing the right thing Liquidating a club. For me they could take a club on, work out a reasonable selling price and go from there.

Why though? The same could be said for many pubs, corner shops that are community based and have closed.

You don't get 1000s going into a pub and you don't get other business benefitting from the 1000 going into that pub. I'm looking at the bigger picture.

Where do you draw the line though? Rangers owed creditors £160m including £96m to hmrc. Should the government have just turned a blind eye for the good of the community?
We've been the subject of 4 or 5 winding up orders ourselves. We paid up, or negotiated a settlement, so could carry on trading.

Indeed where do you draw the line. Who is responsible for the £96m to the HMRC, go chase them.

Already minus 8 for next season.

its the Wigan fans who suffer the most.

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

Ian, a football club is like any other business to HMRC. I run a payroll company and it takes a lot of non payments before HMRC come after the company.

In this case I suspect, just my conjecture, that Wigan are at least 9 months behind on their HMRC liabilties. They have probably been in consultation with HMRC for a staggered payment plan and I'm pretty sure they have defaulted on that plan. That's when HMRC get a bit riled and issue wind up orders.

Whilst we all hate HMRC, they are never quick to take a decision to wind up a company. Obviously Wigan are in serious financial grief and I suspect their only way out is to find an invester/new owner who will clear the debt.

That's my issue that the HMRC treat a football clue as just another business.

Its not like any other business. Regardless how bad a club is doing it has its loyal supporters. No other business has loyal customers like a sports club. Now I know and appreciate the fact the HMRC are quite tolerant when it comes to unpaid taxes but I struggle to believe they are doing the right thing Liquidating a club. For me they could take a club on, work out a reasonable selling price and go from there.

Why though? The same could be said for many pubs, corner shops that are community based and have closed.

I think a lot of pubs should be nationalised before closing down. interesting architecture and serves the community. The amount of pubs closing down each month is terrible

It rattles me that the HMRC have power to close down a football club because they have not received their money that is basically legalised stealing.

So they close down a club that will only hurt the passionate fans and local businesses so they can get their pennies where they waste the majority of it. I agree they should impound a club but for the purpose to keep it alive by selling on to interested parties, there is always someone interested. Any short falling they then should go after the previous owners who they have taken the club from.

But no that will not happen as they want their stolen money like now. Come the revolution and the first thing that should happen is drop a nuclear on the HMRC. Now that would be funny.

Ian, a football club is like any other business to HMRC. I run a payroll company and it takes a lot of non payments before HMRC come after the company.

In this case I suspect, just my conjecture, that Wigan are at least 9 months behind on their HMRC liabilties. They have probably been in consultation with HMRC for a staggered payment plan and I'm pretty sure they have defaulted on that plan. That's when HMRC get a bit riled and issue wind up orders.

Whilst we all hate HMRC, they are never quick to take a decision to wind up a company. Obviously Wigan are in serious financial grief and I suspect their only way out is to find an invester/new owner who will clear the debt.

That's my issue that the HMRC treat a football clue as just another business.

Its not like any other business. Regardless how bad a club is doing it has its loyal supporters. No other business has loyal customers like a sports club. Now I know and appreciate the fact the HMRC are quite tolerant when it comes to unpaid taxes but I struggle to believe they are doing the right thing Liquidating a club. For me they could take a club on, work out a reasonable selling price and go from there.

A football club is just a business though. It's sad, but it's a fact.

They may have a positive impact on the community. But they are a business just like a hotel, pub, shop, gym etc.

The courts are generally lenient to football clubs and that is the minimal favoritism they get.

But a business they are have to be treated as such. Just look at the crisis rugby clubs are in, including Worcester Warriors in my area. Football shouldn't be exempt unfortunately.

Wigan have not done themselves any favours. They've not paid wages and they've been making excuses not to pay tax for around 9 months or so.

This is the lack of respect the club has for it's supporters

The thing with tax, although none of us like paying it, it's based on money you have received. So if its received just pay it straight away.