HMRC hits Wigan Athletic with winding-up petition over unpaid tax

Wigan Athletic FC has been hit with a winding-up petition from HMRC over unpaid tax bills.

A hearing has been arranged for July 26.

Last week the English Football League (EFL) placed the side, which was relegated from the Championship last season to League One, under a transfer embargo for breaching league rules on tax payment.

The club, owned by Abdulrahman Al Jasmi, will also kick off its League One season with an eight point deduction, imposed by the EFL, for late payment of salaries.

It is understood money is still outstanding from last month’s salary payments.

On June 4, the club said a deal had been agreed, in principle, for the sale the club to a prospective new buyer – subject to EFL approval.

It said the prospective new owners have committed to resolving all outstanding liabilities at the earliest opportunity.

However, no firm offer has transpired and the Latics remain in limbo.

A 21-year-old Midlands businessman, Sarbjot Johal, is understood to be one of the interested parties in taking over Athletic, but earlier this year he failed to gain EFL approval for his proposed acquisition of Morecambe.