Champions League Winner with Liverpool Facing Bankruptcy after Row with Brother

Former Liverpool star Steve Finnan could be made to declare bankruptcy after he was involved in a massive legal battle with his brother, Sean.

After a 17 year professional career that saw him play across England and even abroad with Spanish club RCD Espanyol, Finnan decided to retire from football back in 2010.

The Irishman enjoyed the greatest success of his career during his spell with Liverpool and was part of the iconic Champions League final that saw the Reds beat AC Milan in 2004/05.

Since then, Finnan focused on his business outside of football, working in property development alongside his brother Sean.

But now, the Champions League winner is fighting a bankruptcy petition brought about by a marathon legal battle that was caused by the disastrous property business.

Finnan won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005. (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Back in 2018, the Liverpool star secured a a £4million settlement from the High Court after raising concerns about how the property business was being run around 2016.

However, Finnan never received his money after Sean declared bankruptcy, leading to the pair becoming involved in a series of fierce court battles.

In just one of these cases, Finnan was handed a five-figure bill, which he is yet to pay, after he tried to have a jailed for contempt of court during a failed £6m negligence claim against the firm.

And now, the fullback has racked up so much legal debt that he is now facing serious financial issues with a petition to make him bankrupt recently lodged at Central London County Court.

Once details of the petition were made public, Finnan has attempted to appeal the orders, claiming the “complex” case should be heard by a High Court judge.

He also claimed “apparent bias” against him by District Judge Revere and questioned whether she had the power to make orders, which she did.

Finnan attempted to appeal the orders. (Image: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

However, these attempts have been branded 'hopeless' by a judge, who h revealed that the bankruptcy petition did not involve the millions of pounds that feature elsewhere in Finnan's disputes and instead involved a costs order of under £50,000.

Mr Justice Mellor said: “The judge added: “Standing back, it is surprising that Mr Finnan has challenged this directions order…his complaints are largely procedural and have no substance.

“I form the strong view that this appeal simply amounts to an attempt on his part to delay the final hearing of this petition for as long as possible.

“I refuse permission to appeal and I dismiss the appeal. I also certify this appeal is totally without merit. It was, at all times, completely hopeless.

No date has been set for the bankruptcy case to return to court.