- John Barnes has been Banned and faced legal actions over unpaid taxes, with significant debts owed to HMRC.
- The financial issues have been addressed through settlements and legal proceedings, including the dismissal of a bankruptcy petition.
- Despite the financial challenges, Barnes has maintained his career in football, demonstrating his financial capability to pay the debts.
John Barnes, the legendary former Liverpool and England footballer, has been banned from serving as a company director for a period of three and a half years following a significant financial oversight. This decision comes as a result of his media firm, John Barnes Media Ltd, failing to pay £190,000 in taxes, which included £78,839 in corporation tax and £115,272 in VAT. The company, which specialized in media representation, went into liquidation in 2023, marking a significant setback for Barnes, who was the sole listed director of the firm.
The Insolvency Service initiated an investigation into the company’s financial affairs, revealing that between November 2018 and October 2020, the company had not paid any tax despite generating a turnover of £441,798. This failure to pay taxes is a serious breach of legal and financial obligations, as it deprives the government of the funding it needs to provide vital public services and investments in critical areas such as schools, hospitals, and roads.
In response to these findings, Barnes has been required to sign a disqualification undertaking, which effectively bars him from acting as a director for the next three and a half years, starting from April 24. This disqualification prevents him from intervening in the promotion, formation, or management of a company without special authorization from the courts. The Insolvency Service’s chief investigator, Mike Smith, emphasized the legal duty of individuals and businesses to pay their taxes, highlighting the broader implications of such actions on public finances and services.
Barnes, who also played for Watford and Newcastle and earned 79 caps for England between 1983 and 1995, has a rich career beyond football, including a stint as the head coach of Celtic and a role as a television pundit. Despite his footballing achievements and subsequent roles, this incident underscores the importance of financial responsibility and adherence to legal obligations, even for high-profile figures in sports and entertainment.
Who Is John Barnes?
John Charles Bryan Barnes, MBE, born on November 7, 1963, is a renowned former professional footballer and manager, widely regarded as one of the greatest England players of all time. Barnes, who began his career as a quick and skillful left winger, later transitioned to central midfield. Throughout his career, he played for several notable clubs, including Watford, Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Charlton Athletic, and represented England in 79 international matches.
Born and raised in Jamaica to a military officer from Trinidad and Tobago and a Jamaican mother, Barnes moved to London, England, with his family at the age of 12. He joined Watford at 17, where he played 296 competitive games and scored 85 goals. His debut for England came in 1983, and in 1987, he transferred to Liverpool for £900,000. During his ten seasons at Liverpool, the team won the First Division twice and the FA Cup twice, with Barnes contributing 106 goals in 403 matches.
Barnes’ time at Liverpool was marked by significant achievements, including winning the League title in his first season, where Liverpool remained undefeated for the first twenty-nine games. He was instrumental in Liverpool’s 5–0 home win over Nottingham Forest, described as “One of the finest exhibition I’ve seen the whole time I’ve played and watched the game.” Barnes was voted PFA Player of the Year in 1987–88 and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year twice, in 1987–88 and 1989–90.
After leaving Liverpool, Barnes played for Newcastle United and ended his playing career at Charlton Athletic in 1999. He also had a brief stint as the head coach of Celtic and managed the Jamaica national team in 2008–09 and English club Tranmere Rovers for four months in 2009.
Barnes’ career was not only distinguished by his on-field achievements but also by his contributions off the field. He has worked as an author, commentator, and pundit for ESPN and SuperSport. In 2005, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame, and in 2016, The Times readers voted him England’s greatest-ever left-footed player. His legacy in the football world is undeniable, with his contributions to the game recognized through various accolades and his enduring impact on the sport.
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