Cristiano Ronaldo is the latest player in a list of high-profiled footballers in Spain to be charged with tax fraud. The Portuguese superstar has been accused of defrauding the government by prosecutors on Tuesday.
A lawsuit has been filed against the Real Madrid superstar for using “business structure” in 2010 to hide his income from his image rights from the tax collectors. The four-time Ballon d’Or winner is accused of defrauding the government of €14.7 million between 2011 and 2014.
This official lawsuit is based on a report sent to the prosecutor's office from Spain tax agency AEAT. Cristiano's representatives are yet to give a public response.
The 32-year-old is accused of exploiting what is known as "the Beckham law" to pay 24.75% income tax rather than the 48%. With the Portugal captain earning €150m in advertising, he is accused of diverting some of that to the British Virgin Islands.
Other than a tarnished image and a fine, Cristiano may not suffer any more punishments if found guilty. Rival Lionel Messi was found guilty for similar charges and was handed a 22-month suspended prison sentence.
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