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Mascherano admits tax fraud charges 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 Argentine defender failed to declare 1.5m euros in earnings in 2011 and 2012, state prosecutors said. 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 teammate Lionel Messi is set to stand trial alongside his father for tax fraud totalling 4.16m euros - also relating to image rights. 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.