Former England and Liverpool winger John Barnes is facing bankruptcy proceedings due to an unpaid tax bill exceeding £300,000. The case was heard at the High Court on Monday, with a full hearing scheduled for February.
Barnes, 59, previously faced bankruptcy in 2009 over a tax issue, which he described as a 'tax oversight' that was later overturned. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) confirmed that bankruptcy petitions are a last resort after attempts to arrange payment plans fail.
The football legend, who earned 79 caps for England and spent a decade at Liverpool, has also managed Celtic, Jamaica, and Tranmere Rovers. He recently sparked controversy by criticising Western fans for 'bullying' Qatar over human rights concerns during the World Cup.
Barnes was not present at Tuesday's hearing and has been contacted for comment. HMRC stated they take a supportive approach with tax debtors, offering instalment plans before resorting to legal action.
