Sports Wednesday, January 23, 2019 17 Ronaldo avoids jail but hit by hefty fine for tax fraud in Spain

Ronaldo, 33, smiled broad- tween 2011 and 2014. appeared at the same Madrid Prosecutors accuse ly as he arrived at the court His lawyers argued there court on Tuesday for the first him of having used dressed in black trousers, a had been a difference in inter- time on a separate tax evasion black turtleneck and dark sun- pretation of what was and was charge. companies in low-tax glasses, holding hands with his not taxable in Spain, and deny Public prosecutors are seek- foreign jurisdictions girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez. any deliberate attempt to evade ing a five-year jail sentence and Police officers escorted him. tax. But under the deal between a fine of four million euros. to avoid paying the He had played for Juven- Spain’s tax authorities and his The trial was suspended tus on Monday night, missing lawyers, Ronaldo pleaded guilty while the court considers tax due in Spain for a penalty as the Italian league to four counts of tax fraud. whether it has jurisdiction to his image rights leaders eased past bottom club The agreement allowed hear the case. Chievo 3-0. Ronaldo to avoid sitting through “I never hid anything, I a long trial that could have dam- have to defend myself,” Alonso, afp Offshore companies aged his image and seen him 37, told reporters as he left the Madrid Madrid prosecutors opened handed a heftier sentence. court. a probe into Ronaldo in June Ronaldo is one of several Ronaldo is also facing ac- Juventus star Cristiano Ron- 2017 and he was questioned in footballers to have fallen foul of cusations in the United States aldo avoided jail on Tuesday but July that same year. Spain’s tax authorities in recent where a former American mod- was ordered by a Spanish court “I have never hidden any- years. Barcelona’s , el accused him of raping her in to pay 3.57 million euros for thing, nor have I had the in- once Ronaldo’s big rival, Las Vegas in 2009. committing tax fraud when he tention of evading taxes,” he paid a two-million-euro fine in Police in the US city recent- was at Real Madrid. told the court then, according 2016 in his own tax wrangle and ly asked Italian authorities for The court sentenced him to to a statement from the sports received a 21-month jail term. a DNA sample from the foot- a two-year jail sentence that it Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo arrives with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez to appear in court on a trial for agency which represents him, The prison sentence was baller. immediately reduced to a fine of tax fraud in Madrid on Tuesday. (REUTERS) Gestifute. later reduced to a further fine Ronaldo has always denied 365,000 euros, which adds on Prosecutors accused him of of 252,000 euros, equivalent to the accusations. to another penalty of 3.2 million agreed to pay Spain’s taxman the court appearance which the crowd of reporters gathered having used companies in low- 400 euros per day of the origi- In a New Year’s Eve inter- euros, the sentence read. under a deal reached in June lasted around 40 minutes as the outside of the court in north- tax foreign jurisdictions -- no- nal term. view with Portuguese sports A court spokesman said with the player’s lawyers. deal was officially presented to eastern Madrid as he left the tably the British Virgin Islands daily Record, he said he had he did not know whether this Ronaldo, who last year the judge. hearing. He signed a few auto- and Ireland -- to avoid paying Alonso faces trial a “calm conscience” and was would be added on to the 18.8 joined Italian champions Ju- “I am very well,” the five- graphs before leaving in a black the tax due in Spain on pay- Ronaldo’s former Real Ma- “confident that everything will million euros that Ronaldo had ventus, returned to Madrid for time Ballon d’Or winner told van. ments for his image rights be- drid team-mate Xabi Alonso very soon be clarified”. Training at Khalifa Int’l Stadium inspired England stars: Neville SC.qa Doha

The England women’s team has been inspired by training at one of Qatar’s FIFA World High Standard A file photo of Argentinian Cup stadiums as they aim for forward Emiliano Sala. (AFP) glory in two major tourna- I preach to the players every ments this year. day about raising standards Channel rescuers The Lionesses arrived in – and we’ve come to a Doha last week for a week-long country where nothing but the suspend search training camp at Khalifa Inter- best is acceptable. The national Stadium. Led by head facilities, weather and for missing coach Phil Neville, the players conditions are great, and footballer Sala are preparing for next month’s what I’ve witnessed over the SheBelieves Cup in the United past few days is that the States, while also having one afp eye on the FIFA Women’s players have risen their London World Cup, which will kick off standards. on June 7 in France. Police on the British island Neville, who won six Eng- ing to get out here. I don’t see of on Tuesday sus- lish titles and the negativity – all I see is great pended a search for a missing the UEFA Champions League infrastructure, great ambition plane carrying new Cardiff with Manchester United, told and the legacy the Qataris want City striker Emiliano Sala, www.sc.qa his side had been to leave. It’s the first World Cup warning that survival chanc- inspired by their surroundings. Supreme Committee Chief of Tournament Readiness & Experience Nasser al Khater, with Phil Neville, Baroness Sue Campbell and David in this region and when you talk es were “slim” if the aircraft “I didn’t tell the players we Faulkner during their visit to the SC’s Legacy Pavilion. about the World Cup, you want landed on water. would be training at Khalifa to inspire the world, so you’ve Guernsey police said a Stadium – I kept it as a surprise Cup are going to be absolutely got to take it to other parts of 15-hour search covering a for them – and when they came amazing and the unbelievable the world. Coming to Qatar is 3,000-square-kilometre area into the stadium, they were warmth of the people means the next step on the World Cup in the Channel spotted “a blown away. To be in a World this could be one of the greatest journey,” the former Manches- number of floating objects in Cup stadium was a big moment World Cups of all time.” ter United great added. the water”. for them,” he said. Neville, who took over as England’s women will head “We have been unable “I preach to the players head coach of the Lionesses into the World Cup as one of to confirm whether any of every day about raising stand- a year ago, said he was im- the favourites after finishing these are from the missing ards – and we’ve come to a pressed with Qatar’s compact third at the last tournament in aircraft,” the police said in a country where nothing but the tournament plans – saying Canada in 2015. statement. best is acceptable. The facilities, they’d be a massive boost for Neville, who won 59 caps “We have found no signs weather and conditions are players and fans. for England, said: “When I got of those on board. If they did great, and what I’ve witnessed “The relatively short dis- the job I said on day one that land on the water, the chanc- over the past few days is that tance between venues means I want to win the World Cup. es of survival are at this stage, the players have risen their England women’s national team trains at the Khalifa International Stadium. you can play a game at lunch- We’ve talked a lot about the unfortunately, slim.” standards. This was the perfect time and then go and watch jump from third to first. Those The search included air- setting to get people thinking he expected the 2022 men’s there’s been more develop- oness Sue Campbell, Head of Brazil play at night. This is players with a bronze medal say craft and sea vessels from the about winning the World Cup,” tournament to be one of the ment,” said Neville, who visited Women’s Football, and David something that’s probably it felt special but now they want Channel Islands, the UK and Neville added. greatest ever. the SC’s Legacy Pavilion with Faulkner, Head of Women’s never happened before at a gold. I’ve been brought up with France, and will resume on A regular visitor to Qatar “I’ve been here about 15 two colleagues from the Eng- Performance. World Cup. a mentality that finishing first is Wednesday, the police said. in recent years, Neville said times and every time I come lish Football Association: Bar- “The facilities for the World “If I was a player, I’d be dy- the only thing that matters.” Sala, 28, was flying to Cardiff aboard a small plane that disappeared from radars around 20 kilometres north of Guernsey on Monday night. The Argentine striker Boateng prepared for bit-part role was signed by the Welsh side on Saturday from France’s Nantes for a reported fee of 17 at Barcelona after shock loan move million euros. He scored 13 goals in all said. “I think it’s a plus that I competitions this season and The Ghana can play in different positions signed a three-and-a-half- will provide cover up but I feel very comfortable as a year contract with Cardiff, number nine.” subject to receiving interna- front for Suarez and Boateng added: “I’m here Juventus’ Daniele Rugani scores against Chievo during their Italian tional clearance. Messi after Munir El to play well and to try to stay match at Allianz Stadium in Turin on Monday. (EPA-EFE) for more years here. That’s Haddadi was sold to my goal.” Sevilla Alongside Boateng was Bar- Juventus go nine points clear Balo on the move celona’s sporting director Eric afp Abidal, who was asked about with win against Chievo Balotelli to join Marseille Barcelona the club’s pursuit of Ajax mid- from Nice on six-month fielder Frenkie de Jong. DPA The guests’ goalkeeper deal: Report Barcelona’s new signing The 21-year-old is consid- Rome Stefano Sorrentino saved a Kevin-Prince Boateng accepts ered one of the most talented Cristiano Ronaldo drive on 33 PARIS: Italy striker Mario he has joined the club to be a youngsters in Europe. Serie A leaders Juventus beat minutes and on 52 deflected Balotelli has agreed to join back-up after the 31-year-old “This question has to be bottom-side Chievo 3-0 Mon- his penalty after Mattia Bani from was officially unveiled at the asked to the player, he knows day to stay nine points clear of used his hand to block a Doug- fellow side Nice on Camp Nou on Tuesday. there is interest from many chasers Napoli as they wrapped las Costa shot. a six-month contract, French Boateng has moved to Barca Barcelona’s new Ghanaian forward Kevin-Prince Boateng poses with clubs and he will make his deci- up matchday 20. The Portuguese ace then sports daily L’Equipe reported from Italian side Sassuolo on a the club’s technical secretary Eric Abidal (right) and vice president sion,” Abidal said. “We can only The unbeaten Turin cham- botched two chances in the box on Tuesday. six-month loan deal worth an Jordi Mestre during his official presentation at the Camp Nou Stadium wait, like everyone else.” pions advanced on a record 56 but remained joint top scorer The newspaper added that initial one million euros, with in Barcelona on Tuesday. (AFP) Boateng is Barca’s second points, while the Neapolitans in the league on 14 goals with the 28-year-old, who has also the option to buy for eight mil- January signing after defender beat Lazio 2-1 Sunday as the Sampdoria veteran Fabio Qagli- played for Inter and AC Milan lion euros in the summer. Copa del Rey. lan, Borussia Dortmund, Tot- Jeison Murillo also joined on league resumed after a three- arella and Duvan Zapata. as well as Manchester City and He will provide cover up “I have not talked to the tenham and Portsmouth. He loan from Valencia. Abidal said week break. Earlier action saw AC Milan Liverpool, would have a medical front for Luis Suarez and Li- coach,” Boateng said at a press also has experience of La Liga, departures are also possible this Douglas Costa drilled the retain fourth place by winning on Wednesday. OM were not im- onel Messi after Munir El conference. “But I know I have having spent a season at La Pal- month, with Malcom and Denis opener into the right corner 2-0 at Genoa thanks to second- mediately available to comment. Haddadi was sold to Sevilla not come to play in the start- mas in 2016-17. Suarez among those linked with on 13 minutes after a run from half goals from Balotelli’s contract was due to earlier this month. ing line-up because there are Deployed more as an at- moves away. the midfield and Emre Can and Suso. The Devils stayed expire in June. Marseille are Ernesto Valverde’s side incredible players in this team. tacking midfielder earlier in “We are happy with the netted his first this season one point ahead of Roma, who seventh in the standings, level have already played 31 games I’m here because of my experi- his career, Boateng believes squad but there is always a on 45 after Paulo Dybala set beat Torino 3-2 Saturday, and on 31 points with eighth-placed this season and, as well as ence and to help.” he is now best suited to the chance,” Abidal said. “Players him up in the box. Defender occupy the last Champions Nice who have played a game leading the title race in La Boateng, who turns 32 in role of striker. who are not playing very much Daniele Rugani nodded in the League place at the start of the more. (Reuters) Liga, are into the latter stages March, has represented 10 dif- “At my age, the role of num- can stay or leave, all scenarios third on 84 minutes off a Fed- season’s second half. Genoa are of the Champions League and ferent clubs including AC Mi- ber nine is perfect for me,” he will be evaluated.” erico Bernardeschi free-kick. six points clear of the drop zone.