Spanish State Prosecutor Accuses Jose Mourinho Of Tax Fraud

In this Wednesday, May 24, 2017 photo, Manchester manager Jose Mourinho waits for the beginning of the soccer Europa League final between Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

A Spanish state prosecutor has accused former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho of tax fraud worth €3.3 million (US$3.7 million) in unpaid taxes, it was reported on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.

Associated Press report continues:

A statement issued by the section for economic crimes of Madrid's provincial state prosecutor's office said its investigations indicated that Mourinho committed two counts of tax fraud in 2011 and 2012.

The state prosecutor based the accusations on information provided by Spain's Tax Office, which indicate that Mourinho used shell companies in the Virgin Islands and Ireland to "hide profits made from image rights."

It will now be up to a judge to decide whether to take the matter to court.

The 54-year-old Mourinho, who coached Madrid from 2010-13, currently coaches Manchester United.

The accusation against Mourinho comes a week after the Madrid-based prosecutor's office accused Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo of defrauding Spain's tax office of €14.7 million (US$16.5 million). The prosecutor said Ronaldo used shell company in the Virgin Islands to cheat on his taxes.

Ronaldo has denied any wrongdoing.

Last year, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, were found guilty on three counts of defrauding tax authorities of €4.1 million (US$4.6 million) from income made from image rights. The two were given 21-month jail sentences but neither is expected to serve prison time since it was a first offense and the sentence was under two years.