Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly fined $21.8 million for tax evasion just hours before he plays in the World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed to serve a two-year suspended prison sentence and pay a $21.8 million fine in a Spanish tax evasion case.
- The deal was reached just hours before the Real Madrid forward is due to play his first match for Portugal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
- Portugal takes on Spain in a Group A game in Sochi, Russia, on Friday evening.
Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed to pay a €18.8 million ($21.8 million/£16.4 million) fine in a Spanish tax evasion case, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo via Reuters.
The Spanish Tax Agency alleged that Ronaldo concealed €14.7 million ($17 million) in income through a complex financial arrangement that diverted cash to a tax haven in the British Virgin Islands between 2011 and 2014.
Ronaldo has long denied the charges, but reached an agreement with Spanish authorities on Friday, El Mundo said. He is unlikely to actually serve any time in jail because a sentence of under two years for a first offense can be served on probation under Spanish law, Reuters said.
The deal was struck just hours before Ronaldo is due to play his first 2018 FIFA World Cup match, as Portugal takes on Spain in Sochi, Russia, on Friday evening.