BALLER League – the six-a-side cup fronted by KSI and Angry Ginge – has been hit with a winding-up petition by the taxman.
The indoor six-a-side cup, held yearly at London’s Copper Box arena and aired on Sky Sports, has been named as the defendant in a High Court case by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
The tournament, which features sides coached by Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and I’m A Celeb winner Ginge, is yet to respond to the filing.
The majority of winding-up petitions are over allegations of unpaid taxes, including VAT, National Insurance, or Corporation Tax.
The tournament is fronted by Britain’s Got Talent judge KSI, 32, who is the honorary league president but has no involvement in its day-to-day operations.
It comes just three days after the end of Baller League‘s second season, which was won by ex-Arsenal ace Ian Wright and Premier League goal record holder Shearer’s Wembley Rangers FC.
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According the Telegraph the petition was filed after Baller League was two weeks late to submit its VAT returns and it is actually owed money by HMRC.
Baller League was launched in 2024 as a six-a-side, fast-paced alternative to typical 90-minute football matches.
It was founded by entrepreneur Felix Starck with backing from German international stars Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski.
Last year the first season began in March and Tottenham Hotspur defender, Kevin Danso, even commentated one match from the sideline.
The final four matches took place were played on June 12 at London‘s O2 and Oscar-winning actor Will Smith introduced the teams.
All-star names involved include newly-knighted acting great Sir Idris Elba, Celebrity Traitors contestant Niko Omilana, and Lionesses hero Chloe Kelly, who coaches Clutch FC.
There is no suggestion that the coaches or celebrities who work for Baller League are involved in any alleged wrongdoing.
This comes as the Baller League USA kick offs off in Miami later this month with Ronaldinho and Usain Bolt as managers.
Baller league is broadcast on Sky, Twitch and YouTube, and claims it had more than two million live viewers per match day in season one.
A source said: “The tax authorities typically exhaust all options before taking matters to court. Even after, there are periods where companies can negotiate a settlement, so this dispute may not end up in a formal hearing.
“However, it must be a bad look to have a huge range of big stars, but, at the same time, balance a high-profile court case.
Last week, league boss Starck, 36, claimed Baller League was more watched than the Premier League among 16 to 28-year-old audiences.
He said: “The Premier League is not even close to that age group that we have, so we’re doing a good job.
“And I think that’s why 11-a-side football is in the position that it’s in. People don’t care too much anymore.”
A HMRC spokeswoman told The Sun: “We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and only file winding-up petitions once we’ve exhausted all other options, in order to protect taxpayers’ money.”
Baller League was approached for comment.
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