Jamie Carragher facing bankruptcy petition over unpaid tax
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher faces a bankruptcy petition from HMRC over an unpaid tax bill between £700,000 and £800,000.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Jamie Carragher faces bankruptcy petition filed by HMRC
- Unpaid tax bill estimated between £700,000 and £800,000
- Carragher's spokesperson confirms steps are being taken to settle
- Several former English footballers have faced similar tax issues
Former Liverpool and England player turned football pundit Jamie Carragher is facing the prospect of being declared bankrupt after legal action was initiated against him over a substantial unpaid tax bill, estimated to be in the region of £700,000 and £800,000.
Documents reviewed by the BBC indicate that a case was formally filed against James Lee Duncan Carragher on Wednesday. The bankruptcy petition was brought forward by legal representatives acting for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), following initial reports published by City AM.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
A spokesperson for HMRC declined to comment on individual cases when approached by BBC Sport, but added that the agency adopts a supportive approach toward customers with tax debts, offering instalment plans and doing everything possible to help those who engage with them, noting that bankruptcy petitions are used only as a last resort.
Addressing the situation, a spokesperson for Carragher told BBC Sport that the issue involves a private tax matter that ought to have been resolved earlier, confirming that appropriate steps were underway to settle the obligation immediately and that the matter is expected to be resolved imminently.
"This is a private tax matter that should have been resolved sooner, and the appropriate steps are being taken today to settle it."
Jamie Carragher's spokesperson
Tax complications following retirement are a recurring challenge for many professional athletes, often stemming from complex income structures during their playing careers combined with inadequate wealth management. HMRC's strict enforcement against high-profile figures underscores the UK's rigorous approach to tax compliance regardless of public status.
Carragher joins a growing list of former English football stars who have encountered financial and tax difficulties after hanging up their boots. Past England internationals such as David James, Wes Brown, and Lee Hendrie have previously faced bankruptcy, while former Liverpool teammate Emile Heskey lost a legal battle over a £1.637 million tax bill in 2024.
Source: BBC Sport
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment