Javier Mascherano has been sentenced to a year in
prison but is unlikely to ever serve time in jail, after
a verdict was reached in his tax evasion case. The
Argentine has been fined €815,000 and handed a
year's sentence for two counts of fiscal crimes
committed in 2011 and 2012.
Mascherano has previously admitted to the
offences, repaid the money owed and paid a hefty
fine as recompense.
After such compliance with the investigation, the
court is expected to grant the wish of Mascherano
and his lawyer, David Aineto, in suspending the
custodial sentence in exchange for a further fine.
The Barcelona star said in a statement released on
Thursday: "I'm a professional sportsman and I don't
know a lot about legal and financial matters.
Javier Mascherano's statement in full:
Today I have reached an agreement with the
Spanish tax authorities, with a firm verdict
agreed by all parties. Thus, with a resolution
now for the legal matters and with the relief
of having sorted my tax situation, I would
like to make a brief statement.
After agreeing my move to Barcelona I
contracted a specialist tax agency with well-
known professionals that enjoy a great
reputation. According to my situation they
recommended me certain structures, all
within the law, telling me that they were
normal, transparent and accepted
procedures.
I was assessed by these professionals from
2010 to 2014 I decided to change agency
because of the proceedings I was facing, and
with evidence that the problems may not be
'potential' but in fact very real. My new
agency recommended that I pay the tax
authorities the money they were claiming,
presenting also a corrective payment.
Now, finally, after a long wait this agreement
has arrived which allows me to relax again
and go about my daily life.
I'm a professional sportsman and I don't
know a lot about legal and financial matters.
Therefore I must rely on the people that
manage these technical, and for me,
complicated, issues.
All my career I have been an honest and
responsible person... I will take this
experience that has accosted me as another
experience which I will leave stronger and
calmed by the fact that I am once again
within the law.
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