Ronaldo denies any wrongdoing on tax fraud case

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, accused of tax fraud, has denied any wrongdoing.

In a statement on Monday published by an agency which represents him, Rolando said he had no intentions of evading taxes, reports Xinhua news agency.

"I have never hidden anything, nor have I had the intention of evading taxes," Ronaldo said.

"I always voluntarily file my tax returns because I think we all must file a return and pay taxes according to our income. Those that know me, know what I ask my advisors: that they have everything up to date and properly paid, because I don't want problems," he added.

Ronaldo said he will not make any more comments on the issue. "I believe in justice and I also hope there will be a fair decision," he said.

Ronaldo was accused of defrauding 14.76 million euros ($17.44 million), hiding income from Spanish tax authorities using a business structure created in 2010 to allegedly hide his image rights income in Spain between 2011 and 2014.

Meanwhile, Gestifute said the case could be related to different interpretations of the British and Spanish tax systems on how and where to declare some revenues.

--IANS

sam/gau/mr