Spanish prosecutors have requested that Samuel Eto’o faces a 10-year prison sentence and €18 million fine for his alleged tax fraud while at Barcelona.
As reported by El Pais and EFE (via Football Espana), Eto’o and his former adviser Josep Maria Mesalles have been accused of defrauding the state of €3.8 million in his final three years at the Camp Nou, before he left the club in 2009 for Inter Milan.
It’s been alleged that the Antalysapor striker transferred his image rights to companies in Spain and Hungary to avoid paying tax on endorsement deals, including his arrangement with sportswear giants Puma. A lawsuit was filed against him back in 2012, with prosecutors now pushing for Eto’o to be punished.
Unlike previous Barcelona players though, both past and present, who’ve faced similar allegations, the 35-year-old hasn’t repaid the missing tax money, stating that the accusation is based on “unfair and fraudulent evidence” and he’ll fight his corner.
Following his very successful spell at Barcelona, Eto’o has since played for six different clubs across Europe, including the likes of Chelsea and Everton, before settling at Antalysapor in Turkey in the summer of 2015.
This season he’s scored three goals and created seven chances in eight Turkish Super Lig appearances, with a shot accuracy of 70%, as Antalysapor sit 11th on 12 points.
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