Trevor Sinclair, once a celebrated England winger known for dazzling on the pitch and his iconic bicycle kick goal, has now hit rock bottom financially.
The former Premier League star has officially been declared bankrupt after ignoring a hefty £36,000 tax bill linked to his pundit work.
Despite a career that saw him play for clubs like QPR, West Ham, and Manchester City — and earning 12 England caps — Sinclair has now found himself in serious trouble with HMRC.
Tax Debt Spirals Out of Control
The issue began when Sinclair failed to pay £36,424 in taxes and penalties from the 2021–2022 financial year.
According to court documents, the outstanding amount included two large tax sums over £13,000 each, plus unpaid National Insurance and additional penalties.
Sinclair reportedly got into trouble after his accountant passed away, which left him without proper financial guidance.
Initially, the court gave him more time to respond, but when the case was reviewed again, Sinclair failed to appear.
Judge Calls Out Lack of Response
Judge Caroline Wilkinson, who presided over the case at Central London County Court, said HMRC had received “no contact” from Sinclair.
With no proposals or efforts to settle the debt, she ruled that he was “unable to pay his debts as they fall due,” leading to a formal bankruptcy order.
This was not the first time Sinclair had been warned.
Back in April, his legal team mentioned he was working in the media and had received a job offer in Saudi Arabia.
Judge Wilkinson had urged him to “wake up to the fact” that bankruptcy was looming if he didn’t act — but he failed to show up yet again.
Missed Opportunity for Financial Recovery
One possible lifeline was an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) — a formal agreement that could’ve helped him repay the debt in installments. But again, Sinclair didn’t pursue it.
HMRC barrister Shabab Rizvi emphasized the missed opportunity, saying there had been “no contact” and “no proposals.”
Given Sinclair’s profile and earnings from his football and media career, HMRC expressed disappointment at the complete lack of engagement.
A Career Marred by Controversy
Sinclair’s post-football career started strong in TV and radio commentary.
However, things took a turn in 2022 when he faced backlash for a controversial tweet questioning why “black and brown people” should mourn the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The post led to his removal from air by talkSPORT and a storm of criticism from fans.
His now-deleted tweet read:
“Racism was outlawed in England in the 60s & it’s been allowed to thrive so why should black and brown mourn!!”
Earlier Run-ins with the Law
This wasn’t Sinclair’s first public scandal. In 2018, he was convicted of drink-driving and racially abusing a police officer.
The incident, which occurred in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, involved Sinclair injuring a woman while driving under the influence.
After his arrest, he reportedly urinated in a police car and used a racial slur toward a white officer.
A Sad Fall for a Former Hero
Trevor Sinclair was once a footballing icon — he even represented England in the 2002 World Cup.
But from that high, it’s been a slow and troubling descent.
Bankruptcy is just the latest chapter in a string of personal and professional missteps.
With no sign of him contesting or resolving the matter, it’s a stark reminder that fame and fortune don’t always translate into long-term stability.