Former England international John Barnes has spoken candidly about his long-running battle with HMRC, insisting he is working hard to repay his tax liabilities despite what he calls misleading reports in the press.
The ex-Liverpool and Watford winger, who was the first £10,000-a-week footballer in the top flight, told All Things Business – The Podcast that he has been paying HMRC for the past eight years after suffering heavy losses from poorly advised investments.
Since 2017, Barnes says he has repaid around £2.2 million and continues to pay £10,000 each month under arrangements agreed with the tax authority.
Speaking to host Ben Thomas, Barnes admitted he was badly burned financially after trusting advisers during his playing days.
“I got caught out a couple of times and ended up losing between £1m and £1.5m over four years,” he said. “In 2017, I began talking to HMRC about what I could do to repay what I owed.”
He explained that whenever bankruptcy petitions have been issued, he and his legal representatives have gone to court to seek permission to keep paying rather than walk away from his obligations.
“It would be easy to be made bankrupt because they can’t take anything else from me,” Barnes said. “But I don’t want hardworking people thinking I’ve got all this money and I won’t pay tax. I don’t have any assets left – I’ve already sold everything.”
Barnes criticised press coverage of his finances, arguing that it often paints an unfair picture. “Every time something new comes up, stories appear in the press saying negative things about how I am not paying my taxes, even though I’m going to court not to be made bankrupt, but to ask for permission to keep paying,” he said.
He added that negative headlines have affected his professional speaking career, particularly in the banking and financial services sector, where he had often been invited to discuss inclusion and diversity.
Despite the financial strain, Barnes insists he remains grateful. “I’ve had a few sleepless nights, but it’s not had a major impact because I look at the way the world is and there are lots of people struggling more than me,” he said. “As long as I am able to work and to pay, I am just thankful.”
Barnes said the main reason he chose to speak publicly now was to correct misconceptions: “The only reason I’m doing this is because people have been saying things that are not true, and I don’t want anyone thinking of me as John Barnes, ex-professional footballer, hiding all his money and not paying taxes.”
The 60-year-old, who also played for Newcastle United and made 79 appearances for England, says his priority remains steady: to keep working, keep paying, and provide for his family.
