A criminal case has been filed against Gareth Barry over the amount of £43 million in which several other parties are also involved., according to the Free Football Bets website.

Colin Thomas, founding director of Ocean View Properties, is being investigated for fraud and misappropriation of funds over a Costa Del Sol holiday home scheme.

His Staffordshire firm marketed properties using images of celebrities including ex-Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry and BBC’s Homes Under The Hammer star Martin Roberts to sell luxury off-plan apartments, though neither benefitted in any way or had any knowledge of irregularities.

It is understood that midfielder Barry, now playing for Manchester City, also invested in the company, although it is unclear how much he put in.

A source close to the England star said: “The investors are all just chasing their money at the moment.