Call for Alonso to be jailed

Ex-Liverpool, Real Madrid star faces tax fraud charges

Madrid – Spanish prosecutors have called for Xabi Alonso to be sentenced to five years in prison after the former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder was accused of tax fraud.

The Madrid prosecution office announced yesterday it was seeking the sentence for an alleged fraud of ß2-million (about R29-millon) between 2010 and 2012. It is claimed Alonso used a company based on the Portugese island of Madeira to avoid declaring image rights income.

As well as the five-year imprisonment, a fine of ß4-million is held against Alonso, his tax advisor Ivan Zaldua and the manager of the Portuguese company, Ignasi Maestre.

The prosecution (team) also demands the return of the sum denied to the Spanish tax office, in addition to any interest gained. The Madrid court in charge of the investigation reopened the case at the end of last year after the judges on appeal found the facts alleged against Alonso were “sufficiently substantiated”.

Alonso, who retired last year, is not the first highprofile footballer to have faced problems over Spanish tax in recent years.

Some have admitted fraud in exchange for a sentence to avoid jail, like Real Madrid defender Marcelo. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was sentenced to a fine of ß2.1-million for tax evasion and a sentence of 21 months in jail, subsequently issued as a fine. Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo is also charged with alleged fraud of ß14.7-million, which he denies. –