Xabi Alonso's a real one!
Former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso wins tax fraud case against Spanish authorities
Former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star Alonso had maintained his innocence throughout and refused to cut a deal with Spanish authorities
The midfield maestro faced being jailed for two and a half years if convicted after state prosecutors lowered their initial prison demand from five years at the end of his Madrid trial last month.
News he had been cleared of any wrongdoing was confirmed on Tuesday by Madrid’s Audiencia Provincial Court in a 30-page written ruling.
It was not immediately clear if the decision, taken by three judges, would be appealed by state prosecutors.
He was the only one of a long list of footballers accused of tax fraud in Spain who decided to go to trial.
His two-day trial started on October 9 and the decision on his fate was delayed while judges considered the evidence they had heard.
The case revolved around nearly £2million that prosecutors claimed Alonso evaded in tax from image rights.
Alonso’s tax advisor Ivan Zaldua and Ignasi Maestre, manager of a Madeira-based firm prosecutors said the retired footballer used to avoid paying taxes on his images rights, were also acquitted of any wrongdoing.
They had been charged with the same three tax crimes as Alonso, who now manages Spanish second division B side Real Sociedad B after a glittering career which also saw him play for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Cristiano Ronaldo admitted tax fraud in January and agreed to pay a £16.5million fine after striking a deal with Spanish prosecutors and tax authorities in return for a 23-month suspended prison sentence.
The 34-year-old had been accused of defrauding the authorities of £12.9million in unpaid taxes between 2011 and 2014.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho also did a deal with Spanish authorities which involved him paying a fine of nearly £2million and admitting tax fraud to escape prison.
Former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star Alonso had maintained his innocence throughout and refused to cut a deal with Spanish authorities
www.mirror.co.uk
