BREAKING: Jose Mourinho Accused Of Tax Fraud In Spain
Reuters / Darren Staples
After star footballers like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were accused of tax fraud, Spanish prosecutors have accused Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho of the same.
The Premier League giants’ manager is being investigated for his time as Real Madrid’s head coach. The Portuguese is accused of defrauding Spain of £2.9m in taxes between 2011 and 2012.
In a statement released on Tuesday, a prosecutor in Madrid claimed that Jose had committed two counts of tax fraud in 2011 and 2012. The former Real Madrid head coach did not declare income from the use of his image rights in order to get an ‘illicit benefit’.
Mourinho is yet to comment on the accusations. According to reports, a judge will decide whether the matter will go to court.
Reuters: Spanish prosecutor files have claimed against Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho for tax fraud
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Messi and Ronaldo, two of the best players on the planet, have also been accused of tax fraud in Spain recently.
The Real Madrid star is accused of defrauding tax authorities of €14.7m. He was also accused of hiding his income from image rights.
The 32-year-old, who played under Mourinho, has denied the accusations, and has threatened to leave Spain as protest. The Portuguese international, who is in Russia with his national team for the Confederations Cup, is set to give evidence in his case on July 31.
Last year, Barcelona talisman Leo Messi, and his father Jorge, were also convicted of tax fraud to the tune of €4.1 million on his image rights. In May, the duo were handed 21-month jail terms in a ruling that was confirmed by Spain’s Supreme Court.
However, the 5-time World Player of the Year is unlikely to go to prison, thanks to the Spanish law, where sentences under two years can be served under probation.
Written by Rajdeep Saha 
Sports journalist with stints across print, digital and television. Contribution to each medium has been thrilling. Experienced in writing for this passionate game called football. Journalist by choice and passion.