Alonso facing possible five-year jail term
MADRID: Spanish prosecutors are seeking a five-year prison sentence for former Real Madrid player Xabi Alonso for alleged tax fraud.
Prosecutors accuse Alonso of defrauding tax authorities of about €2 million (approximately 78 million baht) from 2010-12. The retired Spain midfielder played for Madrid from 2009-14.
They also want Alonso to pay a fine of €4 million ($4.9 million), in addition to the amount allegedly defrauded. The irregularities are related to Alonso’s income from image rights.
Prosecutors yesterday also sought prison sentences, fines and restitutions for Alonso’s tax advisers at the time. All those accused have denied wrongdoing.
The case against Alonso had initially been dismissed but was reopened earlier this year.
READING AND STAM PART WAYS
Reading parted company with manager Jaap Stam yesterday after a string of disappointing results that has left the secondtier club languishing in 20th place in the 24-team Championship, three points above the relegation zone.
The former Manchester United and Netherlands defender took charge of Reading last season, leading the team to a third-placed finish, but missed out on promotion to the Premier League after losing to Huddersfield Town in the play-off final.
Stam’s fate was sealed after a dismal run of one win in his last 18 league games, culminating in a 3-2 defeat at Norwich City on Saturday. Their next game is not until March 30 at home to Queens Park Rangers.
Reading announced the decision on their website (www.readingfc.co.uk), saying majority shareholders Yongge Dai and Xiu Li Dai had deemed the change necessary after “careful consideration”.
“We would like to thank Jaap for his hard work and commitment to the club, in particular noting what he achieved in a memorable first season in club management, and we wish him the very best of luck,” the club said in a statement.