Liverpool hero was forced to sell Champions League medal after bitter row with brother
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCSteve Finnan was forced to sell the Champions League winners' medal he earned with Liverpool in the 2005 'Miracle of Istanbul' final after becoming embroiled in a bankruptcy petition following a bitter financial dispute with his brotherFinnan (back row) was part of the Liverpool team that won the Champions League in 2005(Image: getty images)Hoisting the Champions League trophy signifies the summit of club football, though former Liverpool player Steve Finnan's memento from his most memorable evening in the game is no longer in his keeping.The 2026 final occurs on Saturday between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. Finnan, 50, boasts considerable pedigree in the tournament, having featured in the Reds' remarkable 'Miracle of Istanbul' penalty shootout triumph over AC Milan in 2005, when Rafa Benítez's squad overcame seemingly impossible odds to recover from 3-0 behind against the Italian powerhouses and secure the silverware.Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland international was compelled to part with the medal he acquired 21 years ago in Istanbul following involvement in bankruptcy proceedings.Finnan retired from playing in 2010 and opted to establish a property portfolio to launch his post-football career.He operated the enterprise through two firms he jointly owned with his brother Sean, who oversaw the company's daily operations.The siblings maintained a sizeable residence on Wimbledon Common and several additional properties throughout south-west London in their holdings, which spiralled into financial turmoil following a falling out between the brothers.The ex-Liverpool defender initiated legal action in 2023, claiming he had been denied $8 million (£6 million).
He eventually attributed the downfall of his venture to solicitors, though the High Court rejected his claim, reports the Mirror.The court was informed that Finnan had contacted solicitors in 2016, complaining that despite 'significant funding from the claimant by way of loans, the companies appeared to have no money'.Finnan subsequently instructed his legal team to file 'unfair prejudice' petitions against his brother. Sean disputed allegations of wrongdoing but accepted their relationship had deteriorated, and after changing legal representation, the siblings eventually reached a settlement outside court.Steve Finnan of Liverpool during the Champions League final(Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)Finnan looked set for a $5.4M (£4m) payout after Sean consented to transfer his shares, but the former footballer never obtained the sum with Sean subsequently being declared bankrupt in July 2019.That same year, Finnan revealed he only received $252k (£188k) from the company's sale and a further $120k (£89k) from the disposal of another property.
The financially exhausting ordeal compelled Finnan to relinquish more of his prized belongings.In addition to auctioning his Champions League medal, he also disposed of two signed shirts from the 2005 final, a replica Champions League trophy and a luxury watch he received after the match.Finnan secured a runner-up medal after Liverpool were defeated by AC Milan in the 2007 European final and also placed it up for auction.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCChampions League