Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will not be made bankrupt after settling an unpaid tax bill with HMRC. Judge Nicholas Briggs dismissed a bankruptcy petition against the former footballer, 48, at the Insolvency and Companies Court on Tuesday, October 13.
Petition issued in August
The petition was issued in August, but Kevin Hassan, for HMRC, told the hearing in London that the debt has been paid, with no figure given in court. After news of the petition emerged on August 27, a spokesperson for the former defender moved to provide assurances that the matter would be cleared up quickly.
A spokesperson for Carragher told the ECHO: “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.”
HMRC response
The ECHO also contacted HMRC and was told that the department does not comment on individual cases. A 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's career
Carragher, who is from Bootle, spent his entire professional career with Liverpool, making 737 appearances. He is ranked as the club's second-time highest appearance maker behind Ian Callaghan. The defender won a Champions League, two FA Cups, three League Cups and a UEFA Cup during his career at Anfield.
Since retiring from professional football in 2013, Carragher has become one of the most high-profile football pundits working in the game, working for Sky Sports and other broadcasters like CBS. Carragher is also a regular fixture on popular football podcast Stick to Football.
