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Jose Mourinho accepts 1-year suspended jail sentence

By Michael Duah
Jose Mourinho accepts 1-year suspended jail sentence
Jose Mourinho accepts 1-year suspended jail sentence
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Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been served with 12 months suspended jail sentence and a fine of close to €2 million after he was accused of owing Spanish tax authorities nearly €3.3m (£2.9m).

Mourinho is, however, unlikely to spend any time in prison, as in Spain first-time offenders do not normally serve jail time for sentences of two years or less.

The 56-year-old is accused of committing tax fraud between 2011 and 2012 when he coached Spanish giants Real Madrid.

In 2016, Mourinho's representatives Gestifute released a statement insisting he was "fully compliant with tax obligations" after allegations of tax evasion first came to light via the whistleblowing platform 'Football Leaks’'

However, he struck a deal with Spanish prosecutors last year, which was ratified at a court on Tuesday.

Mourinho was in charge of Madrid from 2010 until the end of the 2012-13 season. The offenses were alleged to have been committed between 2011 and 2012.

It was reported last September that he had agreed to accept a one-year prison sentence and fine in order to bring the legal proceedings to an end.

Read also: Jose Mourinho sacked: His Manchester United highs and lows

Speaking to reporters outside court in Pozuelo de Alarcon in November 2017, he said: "I did not answer, I did not argue. I paid and signed with the state that I am in compliance and the case is closed."

A number of prominent figures in football, including former Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo, his ex-team-mate Marcelo and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, have been punished for tax offenses in the last two years.

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