Match of the Day Pundit Murphy Reveals £5m Loss in Widespread Football Investment Scandal

Danny Murphy, former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder and current Match of the Day pundit, has revealed he lost up to £5 million due to exploitative investments made during his playing career with Kingsbridge Asset Management. Murphy is part of the V11 campaign group, formed by 11 ex-professionals who, along with around 200 other footballers including Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, were caught up in the financial scandal of the 1990s and 2000s. The financial collapse caused Murphy deep shame, depression, and addiction struggles after his 2013 retirement, leading to issues with alcohol, drugs, and gambling. Despite being told they were victims of crime, many affected players now face demands for millions more in unpaid taxes. Murphy has spoken extensively about how footballers, often from working-class backgrounds with little financial knowledge, are vulnerable to predatory advisers promising good returns but resulting in devastating losses. His story is highlighted in the BBC documentary Football’s Financial Shame: The Story of the V11, which sheds light on the broader issue of financial abuse in football.