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Cristiano Ronaldo denies tax evasion accusations | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Spanish prosecutors have accused the Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo of defrauding the authorities of millions of euros in tax. | Spanish prosecutors have accused the Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo of defrauding the authorities of millions of euros in tax. |
The prosecutor's office in Madrid says it has filed a lawsuit against the Portuguese player. | The prosecutor's office in Madrid says it has filed a lawsuit against the Portuguese player. |
He is accused of evading tax of 14.7m euros (£13m; $16m) from 2011 to 2014. | He is accused of evading tax of 14.7m euros (£13m; $16m) from 2011 to 2014. |
In a statement, representatives of the world's highest paid footballer said there had never been concealment, or the slightest intention to conceal. | |
"It is clear that the football player did not try to evade taxes," Ronaldo's Gestifute management company said. | |
It said that the footballer had not hidden any income from the tax authorities or defrauded Spain. | |
Ronaldo had previously said he was not worried about tax investigations as he had nothing to hide. | |
On this occasion he is accused of knowingly using a "business structure" to hide income made from his image rights. | On this occasion he is accused of knowingly using a "business structure" to hide income made from his image rights. |
In December, leaked documents suggested that Ronaldo had avoided tax on income allegedly held in offshore accounts - allegations he also denied. | |
When asked about that investigation, he told a journalist from Radio Television Portuguesa (RTP) "Quien no debe no teme", which roughly translates as "He who has nothing to hide has no fear." | When asked about that investigation, he told a journalist from Radio Television Portuguesa (RTP) "Quien no debe no teme", which roughly translates as "He who has nothing to hide has no fear." |
Ronaldo is the world's highest-paid sportsperson for the second successive year, according to Forbes' annual list of the world's wealthiest people. | Ronaldo is the world's highest-paid sportsperson for the second successive year, according to Forbes' annual list of the world's wealthiest people. |
He earned $93m (£72m) from salary, bonuses and endorsements last year. | He earned $93m (£72m) from salary, bonuses and endorsements last year. |