Two Premier League players are among the UK’s top 100 taxpayers, along with British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua. The Sunday Times Tax List revealed that Fred and Peter Done, who are behind the bookmaker Betfred, contribute the most to public finances.
The Done brothers have paid more than £400m in tax over the past year and are joined on the list by the likes of singer Harry Styles, writer JK Rowling, and former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley. It’s revealed that each entry paid at £11m over a 12-month period and nearly a third are classed as being from London and the southeast.
The Premier League is the richest league in Europe, and tEnglish clubs are able to fork out hefty salaries for their players. Two of these superstars feature in the tax list with the 100 individuals collectively paying an astonishing £5.758bn in tax, which is an increase on the £4.985bn recorded the previous year.
Premier League Duo Among UK’s Highest Taxpayers
Erling Haaland continues to break records on the pitch, but his inclusion at 72nd means he is the youngest person to appear in a tax list. The 25-year-old is estimated to have paid a £16.9m tax bill, which makes sense given he is the Premier League’s highest earner.
The Norwegian earns a purported £525,000 per week at Manchester City (via Capology) after signing a new long-term deal in January 2025, which doesn’t expire until 2034. He has been in England since July 2022, when he arrived from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
Mohamed Salah also makes the list and has contributed an estimated £14.5m after extending his contract with Liverpool in April last year. The 33-year-old purportedly makes £400,000 a week, although his future in English football is uncertain.
There is talk of Salah potentially heading to the Saudi Pro League this summer, and he has long been a target of the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Al-Ittihad failed to secure a world-record offer for the Egyptian forward, which would have included a record salary of £2.45m per week.
Who Else Makes UK Tax List?
Aside from the Done brothers, Haaland, and Salah, there are many familiar names among the UK’s highest taxpayers. Mike Ashley, who previously owned Newcastle and is the current CEO of SportsDirect, makes the list.
British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, who earned approximately £68.5m – £70m from his fight against Jake Paul in December, is also included. He took six rounds to knock the YouTuber-turned-boxer out in one of the richest boxing fights in history.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, and his father, Barry, were believed to have paid a combined tax payment of around £22.9m over the past year. Eddie promotes boxers through his Matchroom boxing company, and this also includes former Undisputed Lightweight Champion Katie Taylor.
Ipswich Town fan and Grammy Award-winning singer Ed Sheeran came in 64th place with an estimated £19.9m tax payment. Just like Haaland, Harry Styles debuted this year, and the boyhood Manchester United supporter’s tax payment reached £24.7m.
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