Former England and Liverpool star, John Barnes, has accumulated debts of over $2 million through his media company. The latest documents from liquidators reveal that the ex-winger owes substantial amounts to HMRC and other creditors.
The debts include £776,878 (over $105k) in unpaid VAT, NI and PAYE to the taxman, £461,849 (over $625k) to unsecured creditors, a director's loan of £226k (over $300k), and liquidator's costs amounting to £56,535 (over $75k). The Liverpool legend has managed to repay £60k ($82k) after agreeing to pay back the director's loan in instalments.
However, the most recent report warns that only a "small distribution" towards the tax bill will be paid, while "no funds" will be available to pay unsecured creditors. John Barnes Media Limited went into liquidation in 2023 due to failure to pay taxes.
Barnes, aged 61, was banned from acting as a company director for three-and-a-half years last year. This followed his media firm's failure to pay £190k (almost $260k) in VAT and corporation tax, reports The Mirror.
An investigation by the Insolvency Service, which began in September 2023, discovered that the company failed to pay £78,839 ($107k) in corporation tax between August 2018 and January 2020.
The company also failed to pay £115,272 (over $150k) in VAT between February 2019 and 2020. During this period, the company's turnover was £441,798 ($600k) and the company filing returns outlined what VAT payments should have been made.
A statement from the Insolvency Service read: "The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Barnes. His ban started on Wednesday April 24."
Barnes was a key part of England's Italia 90 squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals
Barnes was a key part of England's Italia 90 squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals (Image: Mirrorpix)
England legend Barnes, who earned 79 caps and turned out for sides like Watford and Newcastle United, had established the company himself in September 2012, where he served as the sole director.
When contacted by the Mirror at his Heswall residence in Wirral, Barnes opted not to offer a comment. His financial history includes being faced with six separate bankruptcy petitions since 2010.
Barnes had previously disclosed his aversion to financial matters in a 2009 interview, stating: "I don't like dealing with taxes, of course. I just hate not having enough money. Apart from that, I don't like dealing with bills and never have done.
"I let my wife Andrea deal with them. I don't even like opening them."