In its Sunday article, the popular English newspaper, Daily Mail, covers the story of Gabriel Craig and Emil Heskey with Apollon.
“England legend Emil Heskey caught up in a ‘fraudulent’ £15 million deal for a top football club in Cyprus – years after declaring bankruptcy,” says the headline in the Daily Mail article.
What the publication states:
“Former English footballer Emil Heskey is involved in a multi-million-pound legal battle over a ‘fraudulent’ business deal.
The retired striker is not accused of any wrongdoing. He was the face of a British businessman’s £15 million deal to buy a stake in a professional Cypriot football team.
Craig Gabriel was seen as the savior of Apollon Limassol last year when he offered to invest £15 million.
Even though Heskey isn’t accused of anything wrong, the club and its lawyers want to ask him about his role and what Gabriel told him.
Heskey traveled with Gabriel to Cyprus to meet club officials and fans when the deal was announced last year with much fanfare.
Nikos Kirzis, president of Apollon, said: “Gabriel visited Apollon several times with Heskey. We want to talk to Heskey about what he knew regarding Gabriel’s alleged plans for the club and whether Gabriel misrepresented his wealth and ability to invest.”
Heskey has had a rocky financial past. He declared bankruptcy in 2010 and was ordered to pay nearly £200,000 in 2024 over an unpaid tax bill.
In 2025, the claim says Gabriel presented himself as a multimillionaire ready to invest £15 million in Apollon.
The claim states: “(Gabriel) claimed his fortune was £425 million, mostly from his company… Redhat Capital. This included emeralds… worth £250 million.”
However, several investment payments were not accepted, according to Supreme Court documents. The club later won freezing orders against Gabriel in courts in Cyprus and the UK.
The claim against Gabriel was revealed during Apollon Limassol’s successful move to freeze his assets in UK Supreme Court documents.
The 56-year-old businessman from Chester later admitted he had no more than £540,000 in assets, according to the claim.
Gabriel allegedly made “fraudulent misrepresentations about his financial means and ability to invest.”
Heskey was declared bankrupt in 2010, the same year he retired from international football.
Heskey earned 62 caps for England’s national team and played for clubs like Leicester, Liverpool, and Villa.
Since retiring as a player in 2016, Heskey has worked as a coach and commentator but has also faced several failed businesses. He was once reported to be worth around £12 million.
However, his profile has grown again recently thanks to his sons Jayden and Reagan, both at Manchester City.
Gabriel said he pulled out of the deal because Apollon’s directors didn’t provide “proper” financial information and due to “mismanagement,” which left them in a “difficult financial situation.”
He stated: “Forget the nonsense ‘Mr. Gabriel didn’t have the money.’ It’s a smokescreen.”
“You don’t try to buy clubs without having money or support or involving people like Emil Heskey, who is a good friend.”
Gabriel said he didn’t contest the freezing order because he didn’t have time to prepare his defense and due to family loss.
He added: “The main battle will be fought in Cyprus, which will be interesting.”
A representative for Mr. Gabriel said that “he initially agreed to buy the club… (but) withdrew… when he found out that the club was in much worse financial shape.”
“The freezing order issued by the Supreme Court was accepted by Mr. Gabriel as he has nothing to hide and no intention of dissipating his assets.”
“Mr. Gabriel is confident he will be cleared in legal proceedings.”
Heskey was asked for comments.”
