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Real Madrid demand "respect" for Ronaldo over tax avoidance claims

Xinhua, December 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Real Madrid published a communique on the club's official website in the early hours of Wednesday morning, asking for "respect" for Cristiano Ronaldo in the face of accusations of tax avoidance on a massive scale which have surfaced in recent days.

The Spanish 'El Mundo' newspaper reported on Dec. 2 that Ronaldo diverted 150 million euros (around 170 million US dollars) of earnings from sponsorship money to a fiscal paradise in the British Virgin Islands.

"In view of the stories published over recent days and in consideration of the certificate issued by the Spanish Tax Agency which confirms that our player Cristiano Ronaldo is up to date with all of his tax obligations, Real Madrid C. F. call for the utmost respect to be shown towards Cristiano Ronaldo, whose conduct has been absolutely exemplary throughout all of his time at our club," reads the brief communique.

However, should accusations prove to be grounded, Ronaldo could face a severe punishment, including a long prison sentence, according to the General Secretary of the Union of Spanish Tax Technicians (GESTHA).

Speaking on radio station, 'RAC1' on Tuesday night, Jose Maria Mollinedo warned the player "could face six years in prison."

"From the reports about Cristiano Ronaldo it looks likely that he supposedly defrauded 150 million euros," explained Mollinedo, who said such an amount of money would mean "aggravated tax fraud."

"That would mean a minimum prison sentence of around two years for each year of tax fraud. If the tax inspection open covers three years, then that would be a minimum of six years in jail," he commented, explaining that Ronaldo would see that punishment reduced if he accepted the charges and paid over any tax that was owed.

Earlier in 2016, a Barcelona striker was given a 21-month sentence after being found guilty of defrauding 4 million euros (considerably less than Ronaldo is accused of) from the period 2007 and 2009.

"We think the Ronaldo case should go directly to the prosecution service," said Mollinedo. Endit