Ex-Prem star demands justice after losing £5m in investment scandal

FORMER Prem stars who lost tens of millions in failed investments are demanding justice.

TV pundit Danny Murphy , 48, said he was a victim of “financial abuse” — turning to booze , drugs and gambling after losing about £5million.

2 TV pundit Danny Murphy said he was a victim of 'financial abuse' when he lost millions in a failed investment Credit: BBC

2 Murphy is one of 11 stars, including ex-Arsenal ace Michael Thomas, above, calling for more protection from tax charges Credit: Rex

He was among up to 200 players who invested with Kingsbridge Asset Management in the 1990s and 2000s.

It attracted up to £417million before failed ventures led to loss of homes and bankruptcy.

Investors were deemed to be “victims of crime ” in a police investigation but are still being chased for millions in tax .

Murphy is one of 11 stars, including ex- Arsenal ace Michael Thomas, calling for more protection from tax charges.

In 2022 police said there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute financial advisers as part of the alleged fraud.

David McKee and Kevin McMenamin, who ran Kingsbridge, denied wrongdoing on BBC’s Panorama last night.

Murphy said he feels “shame” over his involvement.

“It's the shame, embarrassment and guilt of getting yourself in a position that you think you're better than,” he said.

“I've lost four - maybe five - million, roughly.

"The financial abuse I've suffered has caused me monumental problems in my life."

He added: "The financial abuse in football and the dark side of football, is something that has gone under the radar for too long."

Another ex-player Rod Wallace says he's lost £1.9million he earned from football because of the scheme and faces more financial heartbreak.

"Kingsbridge have landed me with a £1.6million tax bill, that would be the end of my financial life, I'd be bankrupt, homeless, it would be devastating," he said.