AN ex-Premier League footballer faces jail for scamming family and friends out of £8million to fund a luxury lifestyle.
Richard Rufus, 47, who played for Charlton and England under-21s, duped pals into investing in a dodgy pyramid scheme.
Posing as a foreign exchange trader, he lied that football friends, including Rio Ferdinand, had invested with him.
He spent the money on a Bentley and five-bedroom house on an exclusive private estate in South London, Southwark crown court heard.
His victims included his church, which lost £3.5million, and ex-Chelsea defender Paul Elliott.
Rufus apologised for losing the money but denied wrongdoing.
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He was found guilty of fraud, illegal trading and possessing criminal property.
He was bailed ahead of sentencing next month but ordered to wear a tag.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
