12 October 2023 , 15:32
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An arrest warrant has been issued for ex-Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge after failing to appear in a Los Angeles court.
Sturridge has been retired from professional football since this summer, having last taken to the pitch with Perth Glory in April 2022. The 34-year-old has played for Chelsea, West Brom, Manchester City, Trabzonspor and Bolton Wanderers, as well as Liverpool, across his playing career.
In July 2019, Sturridge issued a plea for people to help find his pet Pomeranian, named Lucci, after revealing that it had been stolen from his Los Angeles home. Sturridge offered a reward to anyone who could help find his beloved dog.
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It was later revealed that Foster Washington, an American rapper with the stage name Killa Fame, shared images on social media taking credit for helping Sturridge reunite with his pet. However, it was alleged that Washington had not received the money promised in the reward by Sturridge, which led to a civil lawsuit.
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An LA court in December 2021 ordered Sturridge to pay Washington $30,000 (£22,400) as part of a default judgment. This meant that Sturridge, who made 26 appearances for England, did not respond to the complaint.
According to the , Sturridge was instructed to return to a court in LA in September for a “debtors exam”. This would have meant that Sturridge would have needed to answer questions relating to his own finances.
It has been stated in the report that Sturridge did not attend the court hearing, with it now being claimed that the former Liverpool striker has now been served a bench warrant. This means that a summons has been issued by a judge to arrest the defendant (Sturridge) and bring them to court, with November 30 being set as a date for a new hearing.
Sturridge pictured with his dog Lucci (Internet Unknown)
Sturridge thanked fans after being reunited with his missing dog (Danielsturridge/Instagram)Sturridge appeared on Sky Sports as a pundit on the opening weekend of the Premier League season on August 13 at Stamford Bridge for the game between Chelsea and Liverpool - two of his former clubs. However, the former striker has yet to appear as a pundit for the broadcaster since that day in August.
Representatives for Sturridge have been contacted for a comment.
Washington, according to the same report, has claimed that he has spent more than $10,000 ($8,186) on legal fees as part of the lawsuit. Washington has gone on to say why the case is so important to him.
“For me, it’s a point of principle,” Washington is quoted telling Mail Online. “He promised me the money. It’s a substantial amount of money that could change my family’s life.”