Former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri is facing a serious investigation by French tax authorities over allegations of residency fraud. The 38-year-old retired footballer, now a pundit for Canal+, is suspected of actually living in Paris while officially declaring residency in Dubai, a move that could significantly reduce his tax liabilities.
Deliveroo Orders as Key Evidence
According to a detailed report in French publication Les Echos, authorities have uncovered potentially damning evidence in the form of food delivery records. The investigation reportedly identified 212 separate orders from fast-food delivery service Deliveroo made to Nasri's Paris residence throughout 2022.
These frequent deliveries to his French address could prove crucial in establishing that Nasri has been residing primarily in France rather than Dubai as claimed. If substantiated, this would mean he should have been paying substantially more tax in his home country.
Substantial Financial Implications
The potential financial consequences for the former footballer are severe. Authorities are reportedly seeking a tax reassessment totaling approximately £4.80 million. This includes around £4.5 million in backdated income tax covering the period between 2020 and 2022.
Additionally, Nasri could face property tax liabilities of approximately £70,000 for the years 2019 through 2025. The French treasury has already taken precautionary measures, ordering the seizure of one of Nasri's bank accounts and placing a judicial lien on his Paris property to secure potential payments.
Additional Evidence and Denial
Les Echos reports that investigators are examining multiple lines of evidence beyond the Deliveroo records. These reportedly include Nasri's business interests in French companies and his professional activities in France, where he has filmed punditry segments for Canal+ on 45 separate occasions.
Nasri has firmly denied all allegations against him, maintaining his official residency status in Dubai. The case represents a significant legal challenge for the retired athlete, who could face serious penalties if found guilty of tax fraud.
Nasri's Football Career and Past Controversies
Samir Nasri first gained prominence in English football when he signed for Arsenal from Marseille in 2008 for £12 million. He made 125 appearances for the Gunners before transferring to Manchester City, where he earned £180,000 per week and played 175 matches, winning the Premier League title twice.
His career later took him to Sevilla, Turkish side Antalyaspor, West Ham United, and finally Anderlecht, where he retired from professional football in 2021.
This is not Nasri's first encounter with sporting authorities. In 2018, he received a six-month ban from football following a doping violation related to a drip treatment received in Los Angeles two years earlier. The treatment contained substances that violated World Anti-Doping Agency rules, leading to investigations in Spain.
Despite Sevilla applying for a retrospective therapeutic use exemption in 2017, UEFA refused the request, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld that decision. The current tax investigation adds another chapter to the former star's post-playing career challenges.
