It has been reported that England 1966 World Cup star, Sir Geoff Hurst, is suing a property entrepreneur after losing £600,000 in a Spanish property scheme.
The 68 year-old former footballer and six other investors have taken businessman Mark Cordner to court and are suing him for £2 million in total, according to a report in the Telegraph newspaper.
The high court in London heard how the investors handed over the full purchase price for seven off-plan apartments in a luxury Marbella complex – upfront and without security – after being sucked in by Mr Cordner’s charm. He is now being sued for deceit, negligent misstatement, breach of fiduciary duty and wrongful conspiracy.
Mr Hurst and the other investors have said that their rights over the properties have now either been destroyed or rendered worthless.
The World Cup hero first got involved with the property venture in June 2003, when he was approached by Mr Cordner and his partner Michael Hone and offered one of the Marbella apartments as part of an image rights contract to promote the development.
Mr Hurst agreed to fifteen personal appearances and media endorsements, and was also given the opportunity to buy more apartments at a heavily discounted price – as long as he paid for them upfront.
The football legend admitted in court that he had done practically no research, nor sought legal advice, after being told Mr Cordner’s lawyer would take care of everything.
He added: “I believed that Mark Cordner owned the apartments and had the legal right to sell them to me… It is easy to say in hindsight, but if I'd seen the documents, we wouldn't have gone anywhere near this.”
Mr Cordner has denied the claims, and maintains that he too has lost money and been duped by his partner Michael Hone – whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
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