Former Liverpool defender and television pundit Jamie Carragher could face bankruptcy after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued a bankruptcy petition against him over an unpaid tax bill. Court records show HMRC issued the petition on Wednesday afternoon, though no further details of the case are currently available.
HMRC takes legal action over unpaid tax
The petition was filed at the Insolvency and Companies Court, a specialist court within the High Court that handles bankruptcy cases. An HMRC spokesperson said: “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 instalment plans. We only petition for bankruptcy as a last resort.”
Carragher, 48, spent his entire professional career with Liverpool, making 737 appearances for the club and winning the Champions League in 2005. He retired from playing in 2013 and has since built a career as a pundit with Sky Sports and CBS Sports.
Representative says matter will be resolved imminently
A spokesperson for Carragher told the BBC: “This is a private tax matter that should have been resolved sooner, and the appropriate steps are being taken today to settle it. It is understood that the matter will not proceed any further and will be resolved imminently.”
The bankruptcy petition is a formal legal step that could lead to a court hearing to determine whether Carragher should be declared bankrupt. However, the statement from his representative indicates that the tax debt is being settled promptly, which would likely halt the proceedings.
Impact on Carragher's career
Carragher has been a prominent football analyst since retiring, appearing regularly on Sky Sports and CBS Sports coverage. This legal development adds a personal financial matter to his public profile, but the resolution expected imminently suggests the situation may be short-lived.
HMRC's approach, as outlined by its spokesperson, prioritizes engagement and payment plans, with bankruptcy petitions used only when other options have been exhausted. The outcome of this case will depend on whether the settlement is completed as indicated.
