UPDATED: MOURINHO ACCUSED IN SPAIN...AND MESSI SENTENCE

Jose Mourinho accused of tax fraud during Real Madrid stint

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been accused of tax fraud by Spanish prosecutors investigating his time as Real Madrid's head coach.

He is accused of defrauding Spain of €3.3m (£2.9m; $3.6m) in taxes between 2011 and 2012, prosecutors say.

He has yet to comment on the accusation.

Other big names in football have been accused of tax fraud in Spain recently, including Real Madrid's Christiano Ronaldo and Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who was given a 21-month jail term.

It will be Annis next

It will be Annis next

Tony! LOL

Better lock your doors tomorrow. He's back on 'business' for a few days!

It will be Annis next

Tony! LOL

Better lock your doors tomorrow. He's back on 'business' for a few days!

Did Messi get a suspended sentence?????

Did Messi get a suspended sentence?????

Jack, I checked that and ironically this was literally just put up on the BBC web-site...



Lionel Messi 'could swap tax fraud jail sentence for fine'
8 minutes ago

Lionel Messi was found guilty of tax fraud in 2016

Football star Lionel Messi could avoid a 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud by paying a fine, Spanish media are reporting.

Spain's state prosecutor would swap jail time for a fine of €255,000 ($285,000; £224,000), which equates to €400 for each day behind bars.

The final decision on the fine rests in the hands of the Spanish courts.

Messi, along with his father Jorge, was found guilty of defrauding Spain of €4.1m between 2007 and 2009.

The court in Barcelona found they used tax havens in Belize and Uruguay.

As well as the jail terms, the Barcelona star and Argentina international was fined about €2m and his father €1.5m. They made a voluntary €5m "corrective payment", equal to the alleged unpaid tax plus interest, in August 2013.

Messi's appeal against the sentence was rejected by the Supreme Court last month, but his father's jail time was reduced because he paid some of the taxes.

However, Messi was never expected to serve time in jail, as under the Spanish system, prison terms of under two years can be served under probation.


Messi is not the only football star to find himself in trouble over his tax affairs.

Cristiano Ronaldo could be charged with tax fraud after Spain's tax office passed a file onto prosecutors.

Reports in Spain last month said the Portuguese Real Madrid striker, 32, is suspected of defrauding €15m(£13m) between 2011 and 2014.

Meanwhile, José Mourinho's advisers have denied allegations that the Manchester United manager defrauded Spain of €3.3m (£2.9m; $3.6m) in taxes while he was Real Madrid coach from 2011 to 2012.

Chris, correct me if I'm wrong but that's roughly a weeks wages for Messi! I mean they could at least fine him in proportion to his wages. I bet he's laughing!

It will be Annis next