Luka Modric latest Real Madrid player with tax issues

The Regional Prosecutor in Madrid has charged Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric with tax avoidance, the Spanish press reported.

Modric is accused of defrauding 290,990 euros ($345,085) in 2013 and a further 579,738 euros ($687,656) in 2014 through the creation of a company in Luxembourg called Ivano SARL to manage his earnings through image rights, reports Xinhua news agency.

However, treasury sources reported that the fraud could be greater given that they are also investigating further possible interests of the player in the Isle of Man.

The news came just 24 hours after Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Marcelo accepted charges of tax fraud against him to the tune of slightly less than 500,000 euros ($593,075).

Modric is the latest in a long line of current or former Real Madrid players, such as Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Angel de Maria and former coach Jose Mouninho who have had problems with their taxes, while Cristiano Ronaldo is currently involved in an ongoing case, which could see him sent to prison if found guilty.

--IANS

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