PL stars that went broke from property disasters to gambling away millions

Premier League footballers are renowned for their high wages and extravagant lifestyles, but what happens when the dream turns into a nightmare.

With telephone number wages, earning in a month what most people won't see in a lifetime, it is surprising that some high-flying sports stars find themselves in financial difficulties.

In some cases, gambling sees their fortunes whittled away on a wet afternoon in Redcar, while other make incredibly poor investment choices. Being one of the best footballers in the country does not automatically make a player a shrewd businessman.

Others are blighted by 'hangers' on' and scam artists seeking to exploit their wealth  and lack of financial knowledge.

Among those struggling is the former Liverpool, Leicester City and Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey.

According to The Sun, the former striker, who scored 110 times in 516 Premier League appearances is facing bankruptcy having been involved in a celebrity investment scheme at the centre of a £1.6bn tax dispute.

While at the height of his career around 2009, Heskey was worth an estimated £12 million.

Before moving to Liverpool, Leicester City offered him £25,000-a-week to remain at the Midlands club.

Last year, it had been previously reported that Heskey was found to have defaulted on £92,000 of tax while working as football development officer between 2017 and 2020.

He was fined £42,000.

A celebrity bar he ran with his wife Chantelle in Alderley Edge was shut down by the High Court with debts of £163,000 in May 2023.

The bar, called Parea, was opened in 2018 to serve the numerous footballers and WAGs who lived in the Cheshire enclave.

Now HMRC are petitioning the High Court seeking the former England international's bankruptcy.

He is not the only