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.
Richard Rufus posed as a foreign exchange trader and lied that football friends had invested with himCentral News
He formerly played for Charlton and England under-21sNicky Hayes
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.
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.