Xabi Alonso facing 5 years in jail for tax fraud

Madrid, March 21: The Madrid prosecutor's office on Wednesday said it could jail retired Spain international Xabi Alonso for five years and fine him 4 million euros ($4.9 million) for alleged tax fraud related to money earned from imaging rights while at La Liga football club Real Madrid.

In addition to the fines, the prosecution also wants Alonso to repay the defrauded amount plus interest, totalling over 2 million euros (nearly $2.5 million), reports Efe.

Alonso, 36, is accused of allegedly defrauding the Spanish government during fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The prosecution is seeking to give Alonso two years in prison for the fiscal offence of 2010, one year for 2011 and two more for 2012.

The investigation against Alonso was first opened in 2016 after a complaint from the tax authority but was later shelved, only to be reopened in January by a court in Madrid.