Real Madrid
forward Cristiano Ronaldo has protested his innocence after
testifying in court against charges of evading €14.7 million (£13m) in
taxes.
The
32-year-old Portuguese, who was in the Pozuelo de Alarcon court for about 90
minutes, declined to speak to reporters afterwards, but he released a statement
through his agency Gestifute.
"The Spanish tax authorities know my
income in detail, because we have given it to them. I have never hidden
anything in my declarations, nor have I had the smallest intention of evading
taxes," Ronaldo said.
I
always make my declarations voluntarily, because I think we all have to declare
and pay tax in accordance to our incomes. Those who know me know what I ask my
advisors: that they take their time on it and pay correctly, because I don't
want problems."
Ronaldo explained that
he did not create a special structure to manage his image rights after joining
Real from Manchester United in 2010, saying he utilised the set-up which was
deemed "legal and legitimate" by English tax authorities.
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