Xabi Alonso could be jailed for five years

Add as a preferred source on Google

Bengaluru, March 22: Spanish prosecutors want Country's former player Xabi Alonso jailed for five years over allegations he committed tax fraud. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Alonso is facing a legal battle after investigators decided to look into claims he failed to declare his full income.

It is alleged that the World Cup-winning midfielder did not disclose the full amount of money he was being paid in image rights during his time as a Real Madrid player. Alonso had been under investigation previously but the case was shelved in 2015 only for authorities to reopen it earlier this year.

The 36-year-old, who denies any wrongdoing, is alleged to have used a company in Madeira to receive image rights payments outside of Spanish fiscal control. He is alleged to have earned around £4.3million in image rights from companies such as Real, Adidas, Gillette, Yamaha and Hugo Boss from 2010 to 2012.

There were allegations that he failed to declare the full amount of money he was paid over that period from his image rights are under scrutiny.

Initially it was decided Alonso had not committed any crimes and the case was shelved, as the Portuguese island was not considered a tax haven then no offence had been committed. But the case was reopened in January, and now it appears the prosecutors are pushing for a strong sentence for the former Bayern Munich star if found guilty.

Alonso is the latest in a line of football stars who have been investigated by authorities in Spain over their tax contributions. Last year Lionel Messi was hit with a 21-month jail term for £3.5m tax avoidance over three years, although under Spanish law it meant he served no time in prison.

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently locked in a dispute over a £13.1m tax bill and appeared in court last summer in connection with proceedings. And Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho reached a settlement with authorities last year following a similar probe.