100 prem aces hit by losses of £150m'
They are among more than 200 who have invested £1billion over 15 years in complex schemes.
The plans pump cash into areas as diverse as property, timber and diamonds to films, fine wine and classic cars. The biggest single investment from a player was £12million.
Income and profits are pooled and shared between investors, which often include hedge funds and City bankers.
Some of these unregulated collective investment schemes have been highly successful but others have bombed.
And the 100 stars believed to have lost fortunes are set to claim that they were not warned at the start of the higher risks involved.
So far 12 household names have come forward after suffering £14million losses.
Expert Martin Taylor, head of client relations for Rebus Investment Solutions, said: Its often the case that team-mates in the same dressing room invest in the same things so this could be just the start.
Its a fair reflection to say up to 100 players could come forward with total losses amounting to £150million.
Whats clear from the data weve collated is that footballers have invested in these schemes on a huge scale. Yet, in many cases, players were not made fully aware of the risks or the potential costs.
Investors have a right to claim compensation if it is proved that professional advisers have not fulfilled their obligations.
Around 20 Manchester United players over the past 15 years have signed up to 58 schemes. They are followed by Everton on 46 and Liverpool on 44. The average number of investments per player in such schemes is 2.3.
Stars known to have invested include Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard but there is NO suggestion they were victims of mis-selling
