Cristiano Ronaldo may face tax fraud charges

Football News – Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo might face a court date over tax fraud allegations, according to the president of Spain’s tax authority union Gestha.

Carlos Cruzado told listeners of Cadena SER’s El Larguero radio show that the superstar was likely to end up before a judge.

“”We [Gestha] feel that the tax authority should pass the case to the public prosecutor, so that they take the reins on this,” Cruzado said.

“It is very easy to see this ending up in front of a judge, for sure.

“We are all part of the tax authority, although sometimes people doubt this, especially when the papers are full of stories like this.”

Gestha, who represent lower-level employees at the Agencia Tributaria, released a statement on Monday that said the evidence at hand may merit a prison sentence.

But Cruzado claimed that there was some confusion surrounding the criteria authorities use to pursue cases.

“It would be good to clear up the exact criteria,” said the union boss.

“There can be cases which are very similar, dealing with tax havens, that are dealt with differently, but the end objective should be the same.”

The allegations have created a scandal in Spain, with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy questioned on La Voz de Galicia as to his views.

Rajoy refused to comment on the case.

Financial indiscretions have plagued Spanish football in recent months, with a number of Barcelona players receiving sanctions for tax fraud.

Lionel Messi and his father avoided jail on a Spanish legal technicality after being given 21-month sentences this year.

The financial records of Real Madrid players Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, Luka Modric and former manager Jose Mourinho are also being examined.

Category: Football