Cristiano Ronaldo fined USD 3.7 million in tax evasion case

Cristiano Ronaldo will be fined 3.2 million euros (USD 3.7 million) and sentenced to 24 months in prison, a sentence he is unlikely to serve, after settling a tax evasion case with Spanish tax authorities, the prosecutor said on Friday (Jul 27).

Cristiano Ronaldo hinted after May's Champions League victory that he was considering leaving Real Madrid. AFP/Vasily MAXIMOV

The 33-year-old is accused of evading 5.7 million euros (USD 6.6 million) in taxes. He has denied the allegations.

Ronaldo is unlikely to go to prison as Spanish law states a sentence of under two years for a first offence can be served on probation.

The football star will be required to pay the 3.2-million-euro fine plus the 5.7 million euros in back taxes, 1 million euros in accrued interest and 250 euros-per-day for the 48 months covering the prison sentence.

This amount is likely to be only part of the striker's fines over the case, which are expected to rise to around 19 million euros (USD 22 million) in total./.

VNF/Reuters