England’s recent triumph at Euro 2025, where they secured their second European Championship in three years, has been met with widespread celebration; however, the victory now casts a shadow as the Lionesses face a significant tax implication that threatens to diminish their hard-earned prize money upon their return home.
The journey to continental glory saw England overcome a resilient Spain in a fiercely contested final held in Switzerland. The match itself was a nail-biter, with Spain initially taking the lead through Mariona Caldentey in the first half, setting the stage for a dramatic comeback.
Demonstrating their renowned tenacity, the English squad rallied, levelling the score just before the hour mark and pushing the game into a tense extra time, ultimately culminating in a penalty shootout. The heroics of Lionesses’ goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who saved two crucial penalties, combined with Chloe Kelly’s decisive strike, ignited rapturous celebrations among fans.
Prior to the tournament’s commencement, UEFA had announced a groundbreaking £34 million in prize money across the 16 participating nations, with a substantial £4.4 million earmarked for the champions, inclusive of performance bonuses. Tournament regulations stipulated that participating teams were obligated to disburse between 30 and 40 percent of their prize money directly among the players, aiming to ensure direct financial benefit for the athletes.
Beyond the UEFA prize, the England Lionesses had also established a separate bonus agreement with the Football Association (FA) ahead of Euro 2025. This internal agreement promised the squad a collective payout of £1.75 million should they successfully secure the prestigious trophy, further incentivizing their pursuit of championship status.
However, the financial euphoria of victory was swiftly followed by a sobering assessment from Blick Rothenberg, a prominent audit, tax, and business advisory firm. Their analysis revealed that a substantial sum exceeding three quarters of a million pounds could be legally deducted from the Lionesses’ collective prize fund, destined for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as tax.
Robert Salter, a director at Blick Rothenberg, articulated the situation, acknowledging the immense satisfaction the Lionesses would feel for their sporting achievement and the dedication invested. He emphasized, however, the impending ‘hefty tax bill to pay to HMRC on their prize money,’ estimating the combined total tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC) liability for the entire squad to be approximately £788,900, a significant sum impacting the players’ overall earnings.
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