The family of Jack Charlton is confronting an inheritance tax bill of approximately £200,000 (€233,000) to retain his 1966 World Cup winner's medal, an issue that emerged while settling the estate of the England and Republic of Ireland football legend.
Charlton, who died in 2020 at the age of 85, was a key member of the England side that defeated West Germany 4-2 in the 1966 final at Wembley and later managed Ireland to three major tournaments between 1986 and 1996. His son John Charlton said the family contacted the government and tax authorities to clarify the figure, with both denying responsibility. The medal remains with Charlton's 93-year-old widow, Pat.
John Charlton insisted the family has no intention of selling the medal, despite medals of teammates Alan Ball, Nobby Stiles, and Gordon Banks having previously fetched between £100,000 and £200,000 at auction. Only three original 1966 winners' medals remain with players' families — those of Jack and Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt.