Dutch manager clobbered by Italian taxman - will be looking for proper job soon

Marco van Basten may this morning be regretting having been such a phenomenal player in the late eighties and early nineties. As goalscorer-in-chief for arguably the best ever Milan side, Marco saw his bank accounts fill like Olympic swimming pools. Then he did his leg in, stopped playing and took all his lovely money back to Holland.

When the Italian bureaucrat responsible for monitoring Mr van Basten’s tax contribution got round to examining his file, he found the numbers didn’t quite tally, so called him up and said, “Mr van Basten, you owe us four million euros.”

Mr van Basten said, “I am in Holland now,” so the persistent Italian called the Dutch tax authorities, and together they both went after the money. More than ten years later they have finally got round to presenting their bill, which now stands at an eye-watering €7.2 million, made up of €4.12m in unpaid taxes, a fine of €1.65m and €1.44m interest.

Our commiseration to Mr van Basten for getting caught committing this most noble of crimes, and our congratulations for having the front to try and get away with such a daring sum. More importantly, though, he’s going to need to start earning big time, and he may have to rethink his plans to take over at Ajax following Euro 2008. This news should have set a red light flashing on the wall at 1) Chelsea 2) Milan 3) Barcelona 4) Liverpool and 5) Real Madrid.

Marco van Basten’s real name is Marcel.