If Wayne Rooney did avoid paying some or all of his income tax, he would still be dodging a minuscule fraction of the amount the likes of Tesco and Vodafone dodge. They should all pay what's due, but enforcement should start with those whose avoidance makes the most difference.

Oh, and, what vbfg said.

Does Rooney "dodge" tax? You make a bold, potentially libellous comment!

It wasn't my statement, actually. Standee made the assertion that Premiership footballers routinely dodge tax and used Wayne Rooney as an example. I just chose not to contest that point. I accept though, that for clarity my post should have began:

"If Rooney does in fact avoid tax..."

I'll edit it now.

Not really, not when you're asking why a unique situation with a unique company and a unique outcome, was not unique.

In the interests of balance, I am aware of one former CEO of a high street retail chain who put his entire £20m settlement package on his "retirement" through PAYE, thereby paying tax and Class 1 NIC on the lot - and have seen the payslip that went with it.

Being super-rich doesn't necessarily mean you're indulging in tax avoidance/mitigation/evasion.

Better to be safe than sorry.

I wasn't asking that, as evidenced by the words I used and the order in which I used them.

In which case the scenario is far from unique to companies that employ thousands.
So in answer to "What is it about employing thousands of people that uniquely qualifies you to avoid paying your taxes and then have a special deal thrown at your feet years later rather than a summons?" I'd say that employing thousands of people gives no unique qualification to avoid paying tax, nor is the avoidance of tax unique to those that employ thousands of people.

Did you ask to be moved to a commission based pay plan that day?

That's a little closer.

I thank you for answering the rhetorical question aimed at Standee in an entirely non-patronising way after driving all round the houses to avoid the kind of charitable interpretation that most human beings are eminently capable of even though the context was blindingly obvious. It's been a great help.