Corruption charges have rocked Spanish football in recent years which started with Neymar's move to FC Barcelona. Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano were the other Catalan players to be alleged of tax evading with the latest being Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Earlier this week, El Mundo had reported that Ronaldo had directed around €150 million through tax havens since 2009 which include the British Virgin Islands.
It is now being reported that the Portuguese may have to face six years jail term if he is found guilty. The Secretary general of the Spanish tax authority, GESTHA has claimed the sentence which the 31-year-old can face is half a dozen years if the charges are proved against him.
Jose Maria Mollinedo was speaking to radio station RAC1 when he was asked about the ongoing controversy involving Real's talisman. Mollinedo is one of tax workers' union's most senior figures and his views will be an issue to worry about for Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mollinedo said, "The information about Cristiano Ronaldo makes it look like he could have defrauded more than €150million. We'd be looking at a major fiscal crime. This would fit a minimum prison sentence for each tax year of the fraud. If the open inspection is for three years, then it would be a minimum of six years in prison." GESTHA president, Carlos Cruzado was also reported to have said that he expects Ronaldo to face trial over corruption charges.
Ronaldo's agency, Gestifute had issued a statement when these allegations were made public. It read, “When dealing with his clients and the authorities, Gestifute has always been fully committed with the observance of the best practices in all the countries in which operates. Cristiano Ronaldo has always acted in good faith in this matter, as the fact that he has never been involved in any conflict with the Tax Authorities from any country where he has lived clearly shows.”
Along with Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho was also named in the German newspaper Der Spiegel who accused the Manchester United manager of evading multi-million Euro and money laundering scheme orchestrated by their agent Jorge Mendes. The agent's company, Gestifute has vehemently denied all accusations with Mendes also reportedly open to take legal action on the newspaper.
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