Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has accepted a suspended one-year prison sentence after defrauding the Spanish tax authorities of around €3.3million ($3.8m).
Talks between Mourinho’s lawyers and Spanish tax authorities have resulted in an agreement, which will see Mourinho accept in writing that he concealed from the tax authorities his income from image rights in the years 2011 and 2012 when he was managing Real Madrid.
The Portuguese coach has remained under investigation by Spain’s Inland Revenue despite declaring the case brought against him closed in November 2017.
“I did not answer, I did not argue. I paid and signed with the state that I am in compliance and the case is closed,” Mourinho told reporters as he left the court in Pozuelo de Alarcon exactly 10 months ago, though a court spokesman insisted he remained under official investigation.
Mourinho was accused of using offshore companies in Ireland, the British Virgin Islands and New Zealand to conceal his earnings, totalling around €3.3m – of which he has been fined 60%, which equates to €1.9m (£1.78m).
With this new agreement, Mourinho’s case will not have to go on to trial. It also commutes his prison sentence, meaning he will not serve any time in jail.
The prosecuting court will be informed of the deal in the coming days, Metro UK reports.
