The Government, as part of a crackdown on foreign earners, are now taxing overseas sportsmen or women on money earned in the UK at domestic rates.

Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium was chosen as host for European club football's showpiece occasion in two years' time instead.

"The reason is the taxes," said Michel Platini, president of Europe's governing body.

"The concerns we had over players being taxed were minimised by the English FA but not confirmed by the British Government."

The Bernabeu, which hosted the European Cup finals of 1957, 1960 and 1980 as well as the 1982 World Cup final, also beat off competition from Berlin's Olympiastadion to land the game.

Hamburg's HSH Nordbank Arena was chosen as host of the 2010 UEFA Cup final.