Former Liverpool defender and prominent pundit Jamie Carragher has responded to HMRC's petition to declare him bankrupt over an unpaid tax bill.
The ex-England international, who won 38 senior caps for the Three Lions and played 737 times for the Merseyside club, has been caught up in a bizarre financial scandal. HMRC filed a petition at the High Court in London on Wednesday to push Carragher to declare bankruptcy.
This is despite the pundit boasting a net worth of £16 million, according to the Mirror. That said, Carragher is listed as the director of five companies, including one, Cafe Sports England Ltd, which is in liquidation.
The firm went out of business in 2013 due to debts worth nearly £1.2 million, and it's believed this might relate to the unpaid tax bill which HMRC are referring to.
Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher
The surprise news that HMRC had filed a petition for Carragher to declare bankruptcy emerged on Thursday morning, alongside a statement from the department of the UK government responsible for the collection of taxes.
"We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and do everything we can to help those who engage with us to get out of debt, such as offering installment plans," the statement read (via the Daily Mail).
John Barnes England
John Barnes England
"We only petition for bankruptcy as a last resort."
However, a representative of the Sky Sports pundit has issued a response to this statement, ensuring that the matter would be resolved and settled today. The spokesperson for Carragher told the Liverpool Echo:
Petition Shouldn't Affect Jamie Carragher's Punditry Gigs
Jamie Carragher talking into a Sky Sports Microphone
Via Sky Sports Premier League
Carragher's spokesperson has seemingly swept the matter under the rug, and it'll evidently be solved quickly and behind closed doors.
It shouldn't affect his upcoming punditry gigs, as fans can rest assured that the broadcaster will appear on panels for matches set to take place over the next few weeks, across both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher
Former players have filed for bankruptcy previously and recovered swiftly. Fellow Liverpool legend John Barnes was forced to liquidate his own media company, owing bills totalling £1.5 million.
Meanwhile, Jermaine Pennant had debt issues, racking up over £1 million in money owed to HMRC, banks, councils and utility companies in 2023.