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Saturday, December 22, 2018, 11:49
Cristiano Ronaldo trial for tax fraud set on Jan 21
By Associated Press
Saturday, December 22, 2018, 11:49 By Associated Press

Juventus's Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match against Torino FC at the Olimpico stadium in Turin, Italy, Dec 15, 2018 (ALESSANDRO DI MARCO/ANSA VIA AP)

MADRID — A Spanish court says Cristiano Ronaldo will be tried for tax fraud on Jan 21.

Last year, a state prosecutor accused Ronaldo of four counts of tax fraud from 2011-14 worth US$16.5 million

Ronaldo is expected to plead guilty and receive a suspended two-year sentence, in agreement with a deal the Portugal forward struck with Spain's state prosecutor and its tax authorities this year.

READ MORE: Ronaldo scores 2 as Juventus fights back to beat Empoli 2-1

The deal includes Ronaldo agreeing to also pay a fine of close to 19 million euros (US$22 million) for the reduced sentence.

In Spain, a judge can suspend sentences for two years or less for first-time offenders.

Last year, a state prosecutor accused Ronaldo of four counts of tax fraud from 2011-14 worth 14.7 million euros (US$16.5 million). Ronaldo was accused of having used shell companies outside Spain to hide income made from image rights.

The accusation does not involve his salary from former club Real Madrid.

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Ronaldo left Madrid to play for Italian champion Juventus last summer.

In 2016, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi received a suspended 21-month jail sentence after being found guilty of defrauding tax authorities of 4.1 million euros (then US$4.6 million).

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