Everton ace Wayne Rooney 'hit with £5m tax bill'

Everton ace Wayne Rooney is reportedly "furious" after being told that a firm he invested in has been ruled as a tax avoidance scheme by HMRC.

According to The Sun, the former England international - who recently became a dad for the fourth time - has been informed that he must pay back £5m.

Rooney is said to have taken advice from a trusted expert on the scheme, which reduced tax bills by claiming against early losses on blockbusters that later made money.

A source is quoted by the publication as saying: "Wayne is furious. He followed advice by so-called experts to make investments. Now years later the taxman's after him for millions he's said to owe. It's ridiculous and unfair."

Meanwhile, three other former England stars - Steve McManaman, Kevin Phillips and Ian Walker - have been warned that they face huge bills over a separate scheme.