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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.
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.”
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 HMRCthroughout 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 – Sun
Online Reporter