Mourinho hit by £1.78m fine in Spanish tax evasion case
JOSE MOURINHO will not face jail but has been ordered to pay a £1.78million fine to settle a tax evasion case in Spain. The Manchester United manager was accused of not declaring around £3m in image rights revenue while at Real Madrid in 2011 and 2012. Spanish prosecutors claimed he used a web of offshore companies based in tax havens ‘with the aim of obtaining illicit profits’. Mourinho appeared at a private hearing in Madrid last November, claiming his finances were in order, although he remained under investigation. Sources close to the United boss refuted suggestions the Spanish authorities had given the 55-year-old a one-year suspended prison sentence and stressed that a fine was agreed this summer. United did not comment last night, saying it is a personal matter. The Spanish Attorney General’s office also refused to comment, while Mourinho’s representatives were approached for comment but did not respond. Mourinho is one of several stars — including United striker Alexis Sanchez, who accepted a 16-month suspended sentence for a similar offence — investigated by the tax authorities. Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo was reported to have reached a similar agreement while still a Real Madrid player in June involving a two-year sentence and a £16.95m fine. Meanwhile, Ander Herrera wants to stay at United, though he is still to agree a new contract. The 29-year-old, a £32m signing from Athletic Bilbao in 2014, is in the final year of his contract and will be free to talk to foreign clubs from January. In another twist yesterday in the row over Tottenham pushing their fixture with Manchester City back 24 hours, United supporters waded in by accusing Sky Sports of ‘naked commercial opportunism’. Problems with Tottenham’s new stadium have forced them to move the Wembley date to October 29, meaning United’s televised home clash with Everton has been switched from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday afternoon. The United supporters’ trust (MUST) slammed the decision, with thousands of fans now out of pocket having already stumped up for hotels and travel. A MUST statement read: ‘The decision shows no regard for the many supporters who have made non-refundable travel arrangements following publication, on August 7, of the confirmed October fixtures after changes for TV. ‘We call on Sky and the Premier League to commit to full financial compensation for any financial loss or additional costs incurred by supporters of both teams.’