ANOTHER Ex-Liverpool Star Faces Bankruptcy

ANOTHER Ex-Liverpool Star Faces Bankruptcy

Liverpool FC boasts a long list of some of the most recognisable, heralded names in the English game. However, through some chance, many of these names have also ended up facing bankruptcy, despite the more than healthy salaries these individuals are earning week to week.

David James, Jon Arne Riise, Emile Heskey, John Barnes - the list of Liverpool players who have experienced significant financial difficulty is longer than most, and it seems another is about to be added to it in the shape of former full-back Steve Finnan.

Also formerly of Fulham and Portsmouth, the ex-Ireland international, who earned 53 caps for his country, was reported to be facing a bankrupty petition on Tuesday after coming out on the wrong side of a multi-million pound lawsuit with his brother, Sean.

A Family Affair

Finnan’s long-running legal battle with his brother has been ongoing for almost a decade, after the ex-footballer started a disastrous real estate business with him.

The battle of the siblings began after it became clear that Sean had spent significant company funds on personal matters, thus running the risk that the company would have to default on it’s many loans.

🚨🔴 Former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan is reportedly facing bankruptcy due to an ongoing legal dispute with his brother over a joint property business that failed 😳

The 2005 Champions League winner is facing a bankruptcy petition due to a protracted legal battle with his… pic.twitter.com/e1806N5CFS

— Liverpool Zone (@LiverpoolZNE) November 18, 2025

Sean first sued his brother in 2016, and though the case went to court, a £4 million settlement was agreed on, with Steve the beneficiary. However, when he did not receive the settlement money, questions began to be asked, and it was quickly revealed that Sean was in financial dire straits, declaring himself bankrupt two years later.

A series of court battles between the brother’s solicitors has followed, with the highest profile example a failed negligence claim that totted up to around £6 million. Failing to win any of these, Finnan was instead handed a five-figure costs bill.

Yet to pay this figure back, this is the reason the former Champions League and FA Cup winner is now facing bankruptcy. On Monday, Finnan appealed against the bankruptcy petitions, but saw his case quickly dismissed as the threat gathers momentum.

The judge in charge of his case, Mr Justice Mellor, described Finnan’s claim as “hopeless”, and that he was only delaying the inevitable. Finnan, who because of his already overwhelming court costs, was representing himself, argued that the case was too complex to be heard in the County Court, but was promptly put in his place, by the judge, who responded that his complaints were “largely procedural and have no substance.”

In a career spanning 17 years, Finnan played over 500 professional games. Starting at Irish club Welling United, he quickly caught the eye of some English talent scout, and made a move to Birmingham City.

He didn’t last long in the Black Country, and was promptly shipped out on loan to Notts County after just six months, a move that would be made permanent at the end of the season.

It was here that he began to take steps in his development - playing 80 times in two full seasons with the club, Fulham picked him up in 1998. He would go on to play 172 times for the West London outfit, the most of any side across his career.

Liverpool would eventually take interest in 2003, purchasing the Irishman for £3.5 million, and it was here he would claim his first major silverware, winning the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in famous fashion during the 2005/06 season.

In 2020, Finnan was forced to sell both his Champions League winners medal (which went for about £12’000) and match worn kits in a bid to fund his expensive legal battles.