Catch up TV

Episode 02 September 2025

Unveiling a hidden scandal affecting a group of former players of the Premier League, the world’s biggest and richest football league.\n\nThe V11 are a group of former Premier League footballers who say they have lost tens of millions of pounds due to their financial advisors. Now, they are being chased for millions more in tax accrued on the investments they were advised to enter into.\n \nThe V11 includes Premier League champions, Champions League winners and England internationals - players representing some of the most famous clubs in world football, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal, Leeds United, Everton, Celtic, Rangers and Manchester City. Brian Deane scored the first goal in Premier League history. Other members include current BBC pundit Danny Murphy, Craig Short, Rod Wallace, Michael Thomas, Sean Davis and Tommy Johnson. Each reveals a story of financial loss and personal struggle.\n\nThis is not the cliched tale of footballers being reckless with their money. The financial boom brought on by the establishment of the Premier League triggered a subculture of financial advisers who promised to safeguard their futures - but some of their clients ended up losing everything.\n\nThe documentary delves into the painful personal consequences of this financial devastation. Homes lost, marriages destroyed and lives that spiralled out of control.\n\nBut the V11 are not just victims; they are fighters. Football’s Financial Shame: The Story of the V11 shows how coming together as a team has helped them to survive and given them the conviction to go public with their story. Led by Carly Barnes-Short, a lawyer and the wife of Craig Short, the V11 now have pro bono support from financial experts, barristers and private detectives who are backing their fight for justice. The film tells the story of their harrowing but inspiring journey, from building dream careers to losing everything, rebuilding their lives and fighting for justice. It is not just a documentary about financial loss; it is a story of resilience, camaraderie and the unyielding human spirit.

Source: BBC 2