Sturridge, who recently retired from professional football in the summer, finds himself at the crossroads of legal woes in the United States.
The situation in the courtroom began back in July 2019 after Sturridge’s pet Pomeranian, Lucci, was stolen from his residence in Los Angeles.
In a desperate bid, the 34-year-old offered a reward for Lucci’s safe return.
But according to the Mirror, it was Foster Washington, a rapper known by the stage name Killa Fame, who claimed to have facilitated the reunion of Sturridge with his dog.
However, the rapper alleged that he never received the promised reward from Sturridge, sparking a civil lawsuit against the retired footballer.
In December 2021, an LA court ruled in favour of Washington, ordering Sturridge to pay $30,000.
Legal procedures took a step further when Sturridge was summoned for a “debtor’s exam” in September 2022, a proceeding designed to examine the Englishman’s financial standing.
However, Sturridge did not show up and his absence has escalated matters.
The report added that a warrant for his arrest has now been issued, with November 30 earmarked for a new hearing.
