GARETH Southgate has been cleared over a controversial tax scheme — paving the way for a knighthood in the New Year Honours List.
The former England boss, who got the men’s side to two Euro finals, was under Whitehall scrutiny over film investment deals.
He still needs official approval but a source said: “Now he’s cleared the checks, people are talking about him becoming ‘Sir Gareth’.”
It would see him follow in the footsteps of Three Lions greats Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson.
Tax bosses have cleared the way by ruling he did not break rules by investing in a controversial film investment scheme.
The decision came after intensive talks between HM Revenue & Customs executives and Whitehall mandarins in recent weeks.
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Southgate, 54, stepped down as manager in July after steering the Three Lions to two Euro finals and a World Cup semi-final in eight years.
A source said: “Gareth deserves the knighthood and people in high places want to honour him.
“He was a tremendous servant to England and came close to leading the team to their first silverware since 1966.
“Gareth has also been a great role model and is a hugely respected public figure.”
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Plans to knight him if England had won the 2020 Euro final against Italy were reportedly shelved as he had been placed at “amber” on a “tax risk list”.
Ministers are traditionally extremely cautious when putting together honours lists.
Ex-England captain David Beckham’s tax issues are said to have been a factor in him not receiving a knighthood.
A source said: “Now it seems he has cleared all the checks, and people at Westminster are talking about him becoming ‘Sir Gareth’.”
Southgate — in charge of England for 102 matches, and pictured with FA patron Prince William before this year’s final against Spain — was among stars to plough cash into Ingenious Media, which invested in fledgling films.
But the deals were probed by the taxman over fears that the scheme was simply an artificial way of reducing tax bills.
Last year, a spokesman for Southgate said he was a “proud Englishman” who had “always paid his taxes and complied with HMRC throughout his career”.
The dad of two is also understood to have put aside the disputed funds “on account” as soon as HMRC challenged the scheme.
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Last night we approached an agent for Southgate.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on potential honours recipients.”
Stars stumped up
GARETH Southgate was among hundreds of high-profile clients to plough cash into Ingenious Media
David Beckham, Gary Lineker and Wayne Rooney were other sports stars to have invested with the firm between 2002 and 2010.
Film-maker Guy Ritchie, actor Sacha Baron Cohen and Ant and Dec also did so.
All were advised that their millions would be boosting Britain’s film industry in a tax-efficient way.
Ingenious did fund 60 movies, including Avatar and Life of Pi , but was also found by HMRC to have run tax-avoidance schemes.
More than 400 investors ultimately found themselves embroiled in a £434million tax avoidance dispute.
And following a tax tribunal ruling, HMRC demanded that investors with Ingenious repaid them.
None of those involved was guilty of any wrongdoing.
Many of the stars ultimately settled financially with HMRC, while others took legal action against advisers.
Southgate’s highs and lows as England boss
GARETH Southgate took charge of 102 games for England before quitting in the aftermath of the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
But what were the best – and worst matches – from the popular gaffer’s eight-year reign before that devastating Sunday night in Berlin? Here we take a look.
THE HIGHS:
Colombia 1-1 England (3-4 on pens,) 2018 World Cup
This was the night that long-suffering supporters finally started to believe that it was coming home.
Despite conceding a late equaliser, England held their nerve to advance to the quarter final of the World Cup 2018 on penalties.
It was our first shootout victory for 22 years.
Spain 2-3 England, 2018 Nations League
Following on from the World Cup, England won in Spain for the first time in 31 years with a brilliant Uefa Nations League victory.
Southgate’s boys stunned the Seville crowd into silence with a thrilling performance that saw them lead 3-0 at the break thanks to a Raheem Sterling brace and Marcus Rashford.
Although the hosts scored two after the break, the way the Three Lions tore La Roja apart excited every fan.
England 2-1 Denmark, Euro 2020 semi-final
Southgate led England to their first major final in 55 years as they beat Denmark after extra-time in the Euro 2020 semi-final.
Having fallen behind after half an hour, the Three Lions battled back to send it to extra-time courtesy of an own goal.
Then it was captain Kane who converted a rebound after Kasper Schmeichel originally saved his penalty in extra-time to win it.
England 3-0 Sengal, 2022 World Cup last 16
England had already blown Iran and Wales, 6-2 and 3-0 respectively, away in the World Cup 2022 group stages before they breezed past Senegal.
The free-scoring Three Lions recorded another big win to set-up a mouthwatering quarter-final against France – what could go wrong?
Italy 1-2 England, Euro qualifiers, 2023
On a night when Harry Kane became England’s all-time top scorer, the Three Lions recorded a first away win over Italy since 1961.
It was the first game since their 2022 World Cup exit, and it ensured a perfect start to their Euro 2022 qualifying campaign.
England 2-1 Holland, Euro 2024 sem-final
The nation doubted Southgate’s men in the semis of Euro 2024, but they responded with a barnstorming display.
Xavi Simons opened the scoring for the Dutch but Harry Kane’s penalty drew us level.
And Ollie Watkins slotted in a brilliant winner in injury time to see the Three Lions into their second successive Euros final.
AND THE LOWS….
Croatia 2-1 England, World Cup semi-final, 2018
Having led England to a first World Cup semi-final since 1990, Southgate men made a dream start as Kieran Trippier put them ahead in the early exchanges.
But Ivan Perisic equalised as the Croats began to take control.
Some of Southgate’s substitutions were then questioned after his team were beaten in extra-time, although many gave him the benefit of the doubt as he returned a hero.
Italy 1-1 England (3-2 pens) Euro 2020 final
Will probably never get a better chance to have secured a trophy for the Three Lions than this final of the last European Championship.
Luke Shaw gave us the lead after just seconds, but just like against Croatia three years earlier, we sat back and let our rivals back into it.
Leonardo Bonucci duly equalised in the second half and the game eventually went to penalties.
The unfortunate Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were all brought on to take a spot-kick, but the brave trio all missed as the Azzurri broke our hearts to take the prize.
England 0-4 Hungary, Nations League 2023
A year on from the Euros and it was utter embarrassment for Southgate in this Nations League game at Molineux.
It was our biggest home defeat since 1928 and the result led to England being relegated from the top group of the Nations League and back to one that contained the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Greece.
England 1-2 France, World Cup 2022 quarter-finals
Another case of what could have been.
Having been free-scoring throughout Qatar 2022, many fancied us to go all the way at the World Cup despite taking on the holders in the quarters.
We fought back from going behind to level through Kane and many believe that France were then there for the taking had Southgate deployed a more attacking approach.
Instead, they seemed content with what they had until Olivier Giroud pounced 12 minutes from time to win it.
But there was still one more twist of the knife for England as the usually-reliable Kane skied a late penalty over the bar uncharacteristically as we crashed out.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
