A bankruptcy petition against former Liverpool and England footballer John Barnes has been lodged by tax officials.
A judge considered Barnes' case at a hearing in a specialist court in London which the star did not attend.
Judge Catherine Burton was told by an official from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) that Barnes owed £238,000.
The judge made no orders and said the case would be reconsidered on 29 November.
Barrister Nathan Webb, who represented Barnes, told the judge his client "just" needed time to pay and asked for an adjournment.
He said Barnes was employed by Liverpool FC "on a salary of £200,000".