Wayne Rooney facing £3.5million bill for tax avoidance scheme

The season hasn’t started off that well for Wayne Rooney – and now it’s got even worse.

The England and Manchester United captain is now facing a £3.5million tax bill after authorities challenged a tax avoidance scheme that he was involved with.

Rooney has already come under fire this season for a string of poor performances, and the news that he will lead out the Three Lions in their World Cup qualifier against Malta today was met with some anger.

But off-the-field matters have also now taken a turn for Rooney as HMRC believe he is responsible for footing the bill of a suspected film scheme.

It is the fifth time in four years that the authorities have come after the 30-year-old, and it is believed Rooney used film investment partnership Invicta 43 to avoid tax legally on his salary.

Film schemes can be used to avoid paying tax by buying rights to films and claiming tax relief on the purchases.

Rooney’s spokesman said: “Wayne’s tax affairs have always been conducted in full compliance with the law.”