Tax Fraud: Samuel Eto’o pleads guilty to avoid prison time

Former Cameroon player, Samuel Eto’o has struck a deal with Spanish court to avoid jail term over tax fraud.

The former Barcelona forward received a fine and a 22-month suspended sentence but will not serve any time.

After striking a deal with the government, Eto’o will pay a fine of 1.8 million euros ($1.9 million).

The African star and his ex-representative Jose Maria Mesalles are to reimburse Spanish tax authorities with around 3.9 million euros.

Prosecutors accused Eto’o of failing to declare income from the transfer of image rights between 2006 and 2009.

According to them, Eto’o transferred his image rights to a company based in Hungary which declared his earnings in that country, where the tax rate is one of the “lowest in Europe”.

Eto’o is one of a number of football stars to have had issues with Spanish tax authorities, following the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar, and even managers like Jose Mourinho.