SIR Alex Ferguson’s favourite Italian restaurant has been hit with a £56,000 penalty for employing illegal foreign workers.
Celeb haunt Cibo was raided after a tip-off that staff did not have the proper paperwork.
Home Office investigators demanded to see everyone’s documentation during the raid, but bosses claimed some of the waiters were on trial shifts instead of being directly employed by the diner.
Three workers were arrested on suspicion of working illegally.
The restaurant in Hale, Greater Manchester, later admitted that one former employee had continued to work there for three years while using a false identity and not having the right to work in the UK.
A licensing review by Trafford Council found that the owners had sacked the manager who was on duty at the time of the raid.
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The council declared that no waiters or kitchen staff should be allowed to work without payment, and said that all employees must produce proof of their right to work in Britain before their employment starts.
They must also be registered with HMRC for tax and national insurance.
Wages must be paid directly into a bank account and employee records must be held for five years.
The bosses, who agreed to pay a penalty to the Home Office, were warned they could lose their licence if similar issues re-occur.
Borders Minister Alex Norris said: “We are coming down hard on illegal working across the UK.”
Cibo was contacted for comment.
Former Manchester United manager Fergie, 83, is a regular customer, along with actress Michelle Keegan and former Love Islander Molly-Mae Hague.
