HMRC are chasing hundreds of footballers for millions of unpaid tax.
The combination of a loss of income and status, often accompanied by an expensive divorce and an unexpected tax demand has left a number of players staring at bankruptcy.
Both the players union and Xpro, a welfare organisation for former players, have been inundated with players fearful that they are unable to cope with back dated demands from their high earning days.
Investigating the issue one former player told The Guardian: “I am in trouble; there is no way I can pay the sums being demanded. It is a really difficult period for me.
“I wouldn’t say it cost me my marriage but the pressure contributed to it. Your career comes to a very abrupt end and now, if I don’t go bankrupt, I will be close to it.”
He added: “There are so many of us in trouble; with my ex-colleagues, we want to be talking about the good times, but this is the topic of conversation everywhere.
“I am not looking for sympathy, I blame myself for trusting advisers – and I do think something should be done about them – and probably for being greedy as well, making a few grand from the taxman.”
According to the report HMRC have targeted 33,000 taxpayers and are looking to recover £5.1bn in lost revenue.
In May 2012 the BBC published a list of Rangers (IL) employees including Barry Ferguson, Stefan Klos, Dick Advocaat, Alex McLeish, Alex Rae, Fernando Ricksen, Neil McCann, Billy Dodds, Campbell Ogilvie, Stevie Thomson and David Murray who were paid through Employee Benefit Trust’s.
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