Antalyaspor's Eto'o faces tax fraud charges in Spain
Samuel Eto'o, who made a comeback with Turkish side Antalyaspor after an international career that started in Spain, faces prison term of more than 10 years for alleged tax crimes in Spain, media outlets reported yesterday. Spanish prosecutors are also demanding a fine of $15.1 million, according to the Associated Press, for four counts of tax fraud for allegedly defrauding Spain's tax authority of almost $4 million from 2006 to 2009 during his time as a striker for Barcelona. Prosecutors are seeking the same punishment for the player's representative at the time, Jose Maria Mesalles Mata.
In July, Lionel Messi and his father were sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax fraud, although they were not sent to jail because sentences of less than two years for first offences are usually suspended in Spain.
Neymar and Barcelona are also facing legal problems for issues related to the player's transfer.
The 35-year-old Eto'o, a Cameroonian international, made his debut in Europe for Real Madrid. After a brief stint with Mallorca, he was transferred to Barcelona in 2004. Eto'o then moved to Inter Milan and has switched sides almost every season to several teams from Anzhi Makhachkala to Everton. He finally signed a deal with Antalyaspor in 2015. The most famous transfer in the small Turkish team's history, Eto'o also briefly managed the club based in the eponymous Mediterranean Turkish city. After a stunning debut by scoring 13 goals in his first 15 games, Eto'o has fallen out with the club's management for what he termed as a "racist" approach by the executives, though he later mended his ties and has continued a successful career with the Turkish side.
In July, Lionel Messi and his father were sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax fraud, although they were not sent to jail because sentences of less than two years for first offences are usually suspended in Spain.
Neymar and Barcelona are also facing legal problems for issues related to the player's transfer.
The 35-year-old Eto'o, a Cameroonian international, made his debut in Europe for Real Madrid. After a brief stint with Mallorca, he was transferred to Barcelona in 2004. Eto'o then moved to Inter Milan and has switched sides almost every season to several teams from Anzhi Makhachkala to Everton. He finally signed a deal with Antalyaspor in 2015. The most famous transfer in the small Turkish team's history, Eto'o also briefly managed the club based in the eponymous Mediterranean Turkish city. After a stunning debut by scoring 13 goals in his first 15 games, Eto'o has fallen out with the club's management for what he termed as a "racist" approach by the executives, though he later mended his ties and has continued a successful career with the Turkish side.