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Bike champion in massive tax deal Bike champion in massive tax deal
(about 2 hours later)
Former motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi has reached agreement to hand over 19m euros (£26m) in unpaid taxes to the Italian authorities. Former motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi has reached agreement to hand over 19m euros (£14m) in unpaid taxes to the Italian authorities.
The payment covers the tax years 2001 to 2004, and could rise to as much as 35m euros when the MotoGP star's earnings for 2005-06 are considered.The payment covers the tax years 2001 to 2004, and could rise to as much as 35m euros when the MotoGP star's earnings for 2005-06 are considered.
The authorities began investigating Rossi amid tax evasion allegations linked to his move to London in 2000.The authorities began investigating Rossi amid tax evasion allegations linked to his move to London in 2000.
The seven-times world champion said he was glad to have reached a deal.The seven-times world champion said he was glad to have reached a deal.
"I'm very happy with the way this difficult affair has turned out because I think I will be calmer now and that will help me to concentrate on my work," he said in a statement."I'm very happy with the way this difficult affair has turned out because I think I will be calmer now and that will help me to concentrate on my work," he said in a statement.
"For several reasons, I've already decided to return to live in Italy."For several reasons, I've already decided to return to live in Italy.
"London is a very interesting city but spending more time with my family and friends has become a necessity for me given that due to my commitments on the [MotoGP] tour I spend more than half the year away from home."London is a very interesting city but spending more time with my family and friends has become a necessity for me given that due to my commitments on the [MotoGP] tour I spend more than half the year away from home.
"I could not return if I had problems with the Italian tax authorities. I could not allow this to drag on either."I could not return if I had problems with the Italian tax authorities. I could not allow this to drag on either.
"I've come to an agreement with the tax agency which will allow me to return calm and ready ahead of the new season.""I've come to an agreement with the tax agency which will allow me to return calm and ready ahead of the new season."