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Javier Mascherano admits tax fraud charges | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Barcelona's Javier Mascherano has admitted two counts of fraud totalling just over 1.5m euros (£1.1m). | Barcelona's Javier Mascherano has admitted two counts of fraud totalling just over 1.5m euros (£1.1m). |
The Argentina defender failed to declare 1.5m euros in earnings in 2011 and 2012, state prosecutors said. | |
He admitted to the charges in a court appearance in Gava, near Barcelona, lasting less than five minutes. | He admitted to the charges in a court appearance in Gava, near Barcelona, lasting less than five minutes. |
Mascherano - who has played for Barcelona since 2010 - is the latest high-profile footballer to come under scrutiny from Spanish tax authorities. | Mascherano - who has played for Barcelona since 2010 - is the latest high-profile footballer to come under scrutiny from Spanish tax authorities. |
He is alleged to have attempted to conceal earnings from his image rights by using companies he owns in Portugal and the US. | He is alleged to have attempted to conceal earnings from his image rights by using companies he owns in Portugal and the US. |
A court filing released last month confirmed the player had repaid 1.75m euros - the full amount plus interest - and he may end up paying a fine and avoiding a trial. | A court filing released last month confirmed the player had repaid 1.75m euros - the full amount plus interest - and he may end up paying a fine and avoiding a trial. |
"Mascherano admitted the facts of the two counts of tax fraud, so there was no need to interrogate him," said a judicial source. | "Mascherano admitted the facts of the two counts of tax fraud, so there was no need to interrogate him," said a judicial source. |
The star was handed a two-game ban on Wednesday after he insulted the referee in Barcelona's 3-1 win over Eibar last weekend. | The star was handed a two-game ban on Wednesday after he insulted the referee in Barcelona's 3-1 win over Eibar last weekend. |
In a separate case, Mascherano's team-mate Lionel Messi is set to stand trial alongside his father for tax fraud totalling 4.16m euros - also relating to image rights. |
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