What is going on at West Ham and Newcastle this morning?Both clubs have been raided as part of an investigation into suspected tax and National Insurance fraud.According to Sky Sports, a number of arrests have been made with Newcastle’s managing director Lee Charnley being one of those in trouble.A statement from HMRC read: "HMRC has arrested several men working within the professional football industry for a suspected Income Tax and National Insurance fraud."180 HMRC officers have been deployed across the UK and France today. Investigators have searched a number of premises in the north east and south east of England and arrested the men and also seized business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones."The French authorities are assisting the UK investigation, have made arrests and several locations have been searched in France.

"This criminal investigation sends a clear message that, whoever you are, if you commit tax fraud you can expect to face the consequences. As this is an ongoing investigation HMRC is unable to provide any further detail at this time."

While we don’t exactly know the seriousness of the investigation, that hasn’t stopped Jamie Carragher from making a joke at Newcastle’s expense.

After hearing the news that the Toon’s managing director has been arrested, Carragher tweeted: “I knew Rafa would find a way of getting control of all the transfers!”

Carragher's tweet

Of course, after leading his side back to the Premier League, Benitez will be hoping to spend big in the summer in order to remain in the top-flight next season.

But, back in February, the Independent ran a report suggesting the Spaniard could leave the club due to the transfer policy at St James’ Park.

The report stated that “Benitez has seen his control over player recruitment hugely dented by a dramatic change in transfer policy and has been left angered by the failure to strengthen his squad as they push for an immediate return to the Premier League.”

One of the reasons for Benitez’s displeasure was Newcastle’s failure to re-sign Andros Townsend in January. The deal fell through with the Newcastle board unwilling to hand Benitez the loan fee that Crystal Palace were demanding.

Now, with Charnley arrested, Benitez might be able to crack on with strengthening his squad without too much interference from above. Well, that’s what he’ll be hoping for anyway.