Alexis Sanchez has just been sentenced to 16 months in prison for tax fraud he commuted during his time in Spain with Barcelona.

 

Spanish law states that the 29-year-old will not have to spend any time in jail and he has agreed to pay the money he owes with interest.

 

The Manchester United forward was accused of defrauding the treasury of €1 million between 2012 and 2013, relating to income from his image rights.

 

Sanchez has, however, reached an agreement with the prosecutor to pay the money he owes with interest.

 

Despite the verdict, the Chilean will not spend time in prison as he is a first offender and the sentence is less than two years – which crucially, in Spanish law, prohibits jail time.

 

The ex-Arsenal star is the latest football figure to be punished by Spanish prosecutors for an apparent dodging of taxes.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho have also been indicted in tax fraud during their times in spain.

 

Source: Goal