Former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan was compelled to auction his Champions League winner's medal from the iconic 2005 'Miracle of Istanbul' final after a bankruptcy petition. The 50-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who played 46 minutes in the penalty shootout victory over AC Milan, sold the medal along with other memorabilia following a financial dispute with his brother.
Finnan retired from football in 2010 and invested in a property empire co-owned with his brother Sean. The brothers held properties including a home on Wimbledon Common and others in south-west London. However, their relationship soured, leading to legal proceedings in which Finnan claimed he was deprived of £6 million.
The High Court dismissed Finnan's case against solicitors, whom he blamed for the business collapse. The court heard that Finnan had emailed solicitors in 2016, stating that despite 'significant funding by way of loans, the companies appeared to have no money'. An out-of-court settlement was reached, but Finnan never received the expected £4 million after Sean was declared bankrupt in July 2019.
Finnan stated he received only £187,570 from the company sale and £89,345 from another property sale. To cover losses, he also sold two signed shirts from the 2005 final, a replica Champions League trophy, a luxury watch, and his runner-up medal from the 2007 final, which Liverpool lost to AC Milan.
