The ex-Man City and Chelsea winger could face financial ruin following the tax authority's legal action.
Shaun Wright-Phillips is expected to contest the matter
(Image: Getty Images)
Former England international Shaun Wright-Phillips is facing bankruptcy following a petition filed by HM Revenue & Customs at the High Court last Friday.
The ex-Manchester City and Chelsea winger, aged 43, could be on the brink of financial distress due to the tax authority's move.
Since hanging up his boots in 2019, Wright-Phillips has become a familiar face in sports broadcasting, appearing on the BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Amazon, and talkSPORT. Additionally, he's been playing a role as club ambassador for City from 2020.
Legal documents list him under his full name Shaun Cameron Wright-Phillips. In response to the charges, a spokesperson for Wright-Phillips told Telegraph Sport: "Shaun is not aware of this and matters are already with his accountant who is fully versed in Shaun's affairs.
"He is currently out of the country and the matter will be strenuously contested on his return."
Over the past weekend, Wright-Phillips was stateside in Atlanta, fulfilling his ambassadorial responsibilities for City. During the trip, he also witnessed City's emphatic 6-0 triumph over Al Ain at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium as part of the Club World Cup festivities on Saturday.
Together with fellow Man City ambassador and ex-teammate Joleon Lescott, Wright-Phillips took part in a Young Leaders Summit that featured a cultural stroll around Atlanta.
Despite his sporting success, Wright-Phillips' business record is less stellar, including the ill-fated Mayfair-based luxury handbag shop Maison d'IF that he launched in July 2020.
The company kept up its social media activity on Instagram and X before being shut down by a court order in August 2023.
Shortly after submitting annual accounts that showed net liabilities surpassing £200,000 for the financial year ending 30 June 2022, the handbag business folded.
Records from Companies House show that Wright-Phillips has served as a director for multiple companies under his full name.
One of his ventures was closed down by court order as early as 2013, indicating a history of business challenges prior to his recent financial woes.
Wright-Phillips founded SWP29 LTD, a public relations and communications company, in January 2023 amongst his various entrepreneurial pursuits.
The initial accounts for the firm revealed it had debts of £103,894 against receivables of £102,268.
Wright-Phillips is the latest addition to the increasing number of ex-footballers struggling financially.
Trevor Sinclair, his former colleague at Manchester City, was made bankrupt this month due to a £36,000 tax liability from his punditry income during the 2021-22 tax year.
Now a coach for Jamaica's national team, Sinclair was reproached by a judge for "burying his head in the sand" concerning his dues and was declared bankrupt for not attending the court proceeding.
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