Javier Mascherano Receives One-Year Jail Sentence over Tax Fraud Case

Spanish court sentences Barcelona star Mascherano to a one-year prison term for failure to pay around €1.5 million in taxes. During the tax fraud case hearing, the Argentine defender admitted two counts of fraud that involved the failure to declare earnings in 2011 and 2012, according to BBC Sport. Mascherano paid back €1.75 million in original tax fees plus interest, plus €815,000 as a fine.

(Image credit: The Guardian)

However, the court decided he must still be handed a penalty as a result of the tax fraud case. The Guardian speculates the 31-year-old probably won’t have to serve a day in jail, as paying an additional fine might could potentially replace the prison sentence. Spain’s tax authorities accused Mascherano of concealing earnings that he received from his image rights – fees that are at times considered rather as bonus payments, instead of regular income.

After receiving the ruling on Thursday, the defender offered an explanation on his Twitter and Barcelona’s site as to the circumstances that lead to the tax fraud case.

“I’m a sporting professional, I don’t have a great understanding of tax and legal matters. Therefore, to deal with what are for me technical and complicated matters, I have to rely on other people,” Mascherano stressed.

He also maintained an innocent stance, saying that he has always been an “honest person” all throughout his career. He stated, “throughout all my career I have been an honest person, responsible and respectful of my team-mates and the clubs that I have played for and countries I have lived in.”

To my English speaking fans. pic.twitter.com/gtokftSxWp

— Javier Mascherano (@Mascherano) January 21, 2016

According to the Mirror, Mascherano will ultimately have to serve the prison sentence if he repeats the tax fraud offence within the following year. Additionally, as a result of his penalty (pun intended) he’s not entitled to any tax benefits for a year. Hah, go figure! Let’s just hope he has enough money saved up by now so he can support his family.