A STORM is brewing in Sweden surrounding midfield linchpin Anders Svensson.

The Saints star is involved in a Swedish tax investigation, prompting speculation that it could affect his place in the international squad for Euro 2004.

Svensson's agent Kent Carlzon confirmed there was an investigation, but told the Daily Echo that the 27-year-old had not knowingly done anything wrong.

And he launched a staunch defence of Svensson, saying his superstar status in Sweden was causing the issue to be blown out of all proportion.

But Sweden's Football Federation secretary Sune Hellstromer is quoted by the TT news agency as saying: "If anyone is being investigated or is waiting a verdict he is out of the running for the national team."

Carlzon insisted this could not be the case and stressed that a player would only be ineligible to play if they had been convicted of something.

He explained that the investigation surrounded an apartment in Sweden that Svensson had kept for his brother as well as earnings when he was playing for Elfsborg prior to his move to Saints in June 2001.

Carlzon added that the investigation was looking to see if Svensson had knowingly avoided paying any tax.

"The worst-case scenario is that he will have to pay some money back," he said.

"They will ask a few questions. Once the facts are known, I'm 99 per cent certain Anders Svensson will be available for the finals.

"The issue concerns his previous club more than him. I'm confident the whole issue can be cleared up very soon.

"If you work for someone you get a salary every month and you don't ask if they have paid the correct amount of tax, you just assume it has been done.

"They are also investigating an apartment Anders had for his brother. His brother was out of work at the time and Anders is a nice guy and just wanted to help him out."

Carlzon added: "To suggest he can't play for the national team is so far from reality. But Anders Svensson is very well known in Sweden and everything that concerns him becomes a very big deal."