HMRC FILES BANKRUPTCY PETITION AGAINST JAMIE CARRAGHER

HM Revenue and Customs filed a bankruptcy petition against Jamie Carragher at the High Court in London on Wednesday over an unpaid tax bill. Court records confirm HMRC issued the petition against the former Liverpool defender. One report suggested the unpaid tax bill could be in the region of up to £800,000, though HMRC has not disclosed the specific amount. Carragher's representative told the BBC that the matter was a private tax issue that "should have been resolved sooner" and that "appropriate steps are being taken today to settle it".

Carragher made 737 appearances for Liverpool across his entire playing career and was part of the squad that won the Champions League in 2005. He retired in 2013 and has since worked as a pundit with Sky Sports and CBS Sports. The former England international is listed as director of five companies, including Cafe Sports England Ltd, which entered liquidation in 2013 with debts worth nearly £1.2 million. One account states Carragher has a reported net worth of £16 million according to available sources.

HMRC said in a statement: "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 representative stated that the matter would not proceed further and would be resolved imminently. The Insolvency and Companies court, a specialist division within the High Court, handles bankruptcy petitions.