Liverpool legend Barnes declared bankrupt

Former Liverpool footballer John Barnes has been declared bankrupt over unpaid tax.

The HM Revenue and Customs petitioned for bankruptcy against him and it was granted by a Liverpool court last week.

The ex-Celtic manager's assets are now being examined by the official receiver, said a spokesman for the Insolvency Service.

Today though, Barnes, 45, sacked as Tranmere Rovers boss earlier this month, defended his position.

He said: “The bankruptcy issue is a tax oversight which is being dealt with.”

It is understood that Barnes has been in touch with the Inland Revenue since the hearing to try to come to an agreement over unpaid taxes.

The Insolvency Service spokesman said the bankruptcy should be discharged on October 14, 2010.

Asked how much the football pundit owed, an HMRC spokesman said the department did not comment on individual cases.

In March, the father-of-six did an interview with a national newspaper about money.

He told the Daily Telegraph: “I don’t like dealing with taxes of course.

“I just hate not having enough money. Apart from that, I don’t like dealing with bills and never have done. I let my wife Andrea deal with them.

“I don’t even like opening them. A few times my credit card has been declined when I’ve been travelling abroad.

“Then I have to get creative about paying the bill and have to really route around. That’s much more satisfying than just having it come easily.”