Former Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also La Liga giants’ highest goal-scorer, will be sentenced for fraud on 21 January 2019. Cristiano would also be handed a two-year prison sentence along with a Euro 18.8 million fine for tax fraud by Spain authorities.
According to a statement issued by prosecutors at the time, the charges first brought against CR7 read: “The accused made use of a corporate structure created in 2010 to hide from the tax authority income generated in Spain through image rights.”
However, Ronaldo will not go to prison because in Spain sentences of two years and under can be served on probation. Earlier this year in July, Ronaldo agreed on a deal with the Spanish authorities.
CR7 will be sentenced at the Madrid Provincial Court, but the Portugal star is not required to attend the hearing. Ronaldo can arrange to receive his sentence by video conference.
Cristiano is accused of four counts of tax fraud and his trial is scheduled for 9.50 am local time.
Ronaldo signed with Italian champions Juventus in summer transfer window for a record Euro 105 million (UK Pound 94 million). La Liga president Javier Tebas had at the time said that CR7’s move could have been motivated by money.
“He will earn more money (there) than here. I think that fiscally it favours him to go to Italy,” Javier Tebas said, adding, “Here, in Spain, we have a problem with fiscal competition.”