Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo made his first appearance in front of the judge in charge of ruling if he committed tax fraud from 2011 and 2014 earlier today. Real Madrid's superstar replied to inquiries from Spanish authorities for over 90 minutes, and chose not to face the media waiting outside the court room, with his press representative reading a statement in his behalf.
In that statement, CR7 refused claims about him defrauding the Spanish IRS, adding that he never intended to do so.
"The Spanish IRS knows in detail all of my income statements, especially because we stepped up and offered them every single one. I've never hidden anything or have the intention of evading taxes. I submit my tax payments voluntarily, since I believe that everyone should pay taxes according to whatever money they make. Those who know me can step forward and reveal what I tell my advisors every day: that they should have all my matters in order, because I don't want any problems," reads the statement in it's second paragraph.
The open letter also reveals that he didn't create a special structure to handle his image rights, as he went on using the same one he employed while playing at Manchester United.
According to reports from Spanish media outlets, the judge will consider CR7's statements before making her final ruling. If his claims can't get him off the hook, he will face formal tax evasion charges.
