Ronaldo has ‘clear conscience’
Print Edition
CRISTIANO Ronaldo insisted yesterday he had a “clear conscience” after Spanish prosecutors accused the Real Madrid forward of evading 14.7 million euros (US$16.58 million) in tax through offshore companies.
“Conscience clear, always,” Ronaldo told reporters at Lisbon airport as he and his Portuguese teammates prepared to fly out to the Confederations Cup in Russia.
Real earlier gave its backing to Ronaldo, releasing a statement saying it had “full confidence in our player Cristiano Ronaldo, who we understand has acted in accordance with the legality regarding the fulfilment of his fiscal obligations”.
“Since his arrival at Real Madrid CF in July 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo has always shown a clear will to fulfil all his tax obligations.
“Real Madrid CF are absolutely convinced that our player, Cristiano Ronaldo, will prove his total innocence in this process. Real Madrid CF hope that justice is done as quickly as possible so that his innocence can be proven as soon as possible.”
The 32-year-old Ronaldo — the world’s highest paid athlete according to Forbes magazine — follows in the footsteps of Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi, who was found guilty of the same offense last year, although the sums involved were allegedly smaller.
If he too is put on trial and found guilty, Ronaldo risks “a fine of at least 28 million” euros and could potentially be jailed for 3-1/2 years, according to the Gestha union of experts at Spain’s Inland Revenue.
Ronaldo is accused of “four crimes against the public treasury between 2011-14... which involves tax fraud of 14,768,897 euros”, Madrid’s public prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday.
Prosecutors accuse the Portugal international of evading tax via a shell company based in the British Virgin Islands and another in Ireland, known for its low corporate tax rate.
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