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Former England footballer Trevor Sinclair has been declared bankrupt over an unpaid tax bill of £36,000 after "burying his head in the sand". The ex-Manchester City and West Ham star, who also played for Queens Park Rangers and earned 12 caps for England, amassed a fortune during his playing days before transitioning to roles as a TV and radio pundit and a football coach.
However, Sinclair found himself in trouble with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for neglecting to settle taxes and penalties amounting to £36,424 from his punditry work in the 2021-22 year. Despite being granted additional time by the court to pay up or propose alternative payment solutions, the 52-year-old did not appear at the hearing yesterday and was consequently made bankrupt.
Judge Caroline Wilkinson stated that HMRC had not heard from Sinclair and determined that he is "unable to pay his debts as they fall due". Sinclair's financial woes were aired at Central London County Court back in April, where it emerged that his debt to the taxman escalated following the death of his accountant.
The sum in question pertains to the 2021-22 tax period and encompasses two amounts exceeding £13,000 for punditry work, alongside overdue National Insurance contributions and penalty fees, according to HMRC's legal team.
HMRC's barrister Shabab Rizvi argued for a bankruptcy order, asserting: "The debtor is a former Premier League footballer and should have the means to satisfy the debt, but there's been no contact with HMRC at all."
However, Sinclair found himself in trouble with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for neglecting to settle taxes and penalties amounting to £36,424 from his punditry work in the 2021-22 year. Despite being granted additional time by the court to pay up or propose alternative payment solutions, the 52-year-old did not appear at the hearing yesterday and was consequently made bankrupt.
Judge Caroline Wilkinson stated that HMRC had not heard from Sinclair and determined that he is "unable to pay his debts as they fall due". Sinclair's financial woes were aired at Central London County Court back in April, where it emerged that his debt to the taxman escalated following the death of his accountant.
The sum in question pertains to the 2021-22 tax period and encompasses two amounts exceeding £13,000 for punditry work, alongside overdue National Insurance contributions and penalty fees, according to HMRC's legal team.
HMRC's barrister Shabab Rizvi argued for a bankruptcy order, asserting: "The debtor is a former Premier League footballer and should have the means to satisfy the debt, but there's been no contact with HMRC at all."
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