Juan Manuel Brito Arceo, a former LaLiga Santander referee, has revealed how he is living a ruined and desperate life since hanging up his whistle.
He has opened up on how he is no longer receiving social benefits, must use food banks for meals and is on the verge of being evicted.
Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 55 years ago, he made his top-flight debut in 1987 at the age of 24 and departed the game in 2000.
He was a councillor in his hometown between 2003 and 2011 and also competed on Celebrity Big Brother II in 2005.
Now he has asked for help in an interview with a local Tenerife newspaper, describing his current life as "chaotic and precarious".
"I'm so desperate that I need help," he admitted, while revealing that he was forced to leave football due to a "defamation campaign full of lies" behind closed doors.
Now, he is in great debt and owes a lot of money.
"The day I was a finalist in Big Brother, the money I won was given to the bank and I made just 12,000 euros and I swear on my family that if I had that now, I would pay everything I need to," he said.
"Honestly, I have even thought about suicide and I often wonder what I have done with my life.
"I'm not crazy.
"I've had to go through some difficult moments and, above all else, I'll never understand those people who put their efforts into trying to destroy you with lies.
"Given how I have always treated others, I think I have been repaid very badly."
When he was refereeing, Brito Arceo became the youngest referee to take charge of a first division match.