HM Revenue & Customs has dropped its four-year-long criminal investigation into Newcastle United regarding transfer payments for former players.
The club was alleged by HMRC to have made "secret" payments to agents and players for transfers including those of forwards Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse, plus former midfielder Moussa Sissoko.
Following the discontinuation of the probe, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley said: "After four years of the club being subjected to this investigation, I am pleased that the criminal investigation has now been discontinued.
"It is now time for the dark forces that are preventing this football club from becoming the power house that the fans deserve, to step aside.