A FORMER football agent who once represented ex-Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has lost his £1.2million tax battle with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The case, heard at the Upper Tribunal, shows that Anderson and eight others failed in their attempt to avoid large amounts of tax.

The scheme involved investments in the recruitment and training of young footballers at the Bafana Soccer Academy in South Africa.

Anderson attempted to use this investment to claim a £3m artificial trading loss to reduce his tax bill by huge amounts of money.

The tribunal found that Anderson’s activities were more like those of an investor, and this didn’t show that he was trading.

This decision means he could not claim a trading loss and tax was due.

Speaking after the hearing, Penny Ciniewicz, HMRC’s director-general for customer compliance, said: “The court has made it clear that these schemes don’t work. Our public services rely on everyone paying their taxes and it’s unfair for people not to pay their share.

“Anyone who’s caught up in tax avoidance and wants to put it behind them should come forward now and settle what they owe.

“This latest victory continues HMRC’s excellent record of winning nine out of 10 tax avoidance cases taken to court, with many more settling what they owe before reaching that stage.”

Steve Kean was appointed Rovers manager in December 2010 following the sacking of Sam Allardyce.

After a turbulent tenure, which saw the club relegated from the Premier League to the Championship. Mr Kean resigned in September 2012. He had been brought to the club as a first-team coach in 2009 by Mr Allardyce.

His last managerial role was at Brunei-based DPMM FC who play in the S.League.