Tax Fraud: Former Chelsea Striker Samuel Eto’o Sentenced to 22-Months in Prison

Samuel Eto’o has been handed a 22-month prison sentence and seven-figure fine after admitting tax fraud worth over £3.25million in Spain.

On Monday, the former Chelsea and Cameroon striker was sentenced after a trial for defrauding the Spanish authorites of his image rights income while a Barcelona player between 2006 and 2009.

A total of 3,872,621 euros (£3,330,514) was not properly declared by Eto’o, 41.

A Barcelona court handed down a 22-month sentence for Eto’o, which will be suspended because he does not hold a criminal record and the period is under two years. He will also pay a fine of 1,810,310 euros (£1,556,894).

His agent, Jose Maria Mesalles, was also found guilty and will pay a 905,155 euro fine (£778,447). Mesalles was sentenced to one year in prison, which in practice will also be suspended.

Prosectuors had originally demanded both serve four years and six months.

Eto’o is quoted by Marca as saying outside of court: “I recognise the facts and I am going to pay, but for the record I was a child then and I always did what I was told to do.”

Earnings that should have been declared for income tax were instead hidden in the accounts of two companies, situated in Spain and Hungary. The earnings diverted to Hungary paid no tax while that directed across Spain did so at a lower rate than the personal income tax rate.

A third defendant, Jesus Lastre, who administrated the Hungarian company used to divert earnings, was acquitted.