Real Madrid star handed 4-month jail sentence

Marcelo has been handed a four-month suspended prison sentence for defrauding the tax authorities. He will now pay £670,000 as a fine for the same.

The Real Madrid full-back was accused of evading payment to the Spanish treasury in October 2017. The allegations were in relation to his image rights for which he escaped paying taxes.

Spanish news agency EFE has now reported that a settlement the player’s representatives reached an agreement on Tuesday with the Provincial Prosecutor's Office in Madrid. He has escaped the prison sentence and will not be just paying the fine.

The public prosecutor, in his complaint, said that the defender had used the tax structure to seek an 'illegal fiscal benefit'. It is reported that the defrauding took place in 2013.

Marcelo has reportedly negotiated a shorter jail term so that it is suspended. With the settlement, his fine will only amount to 40 percent of the amount he was actually supposed to pay.

Just like Messi, Ronaldo and other footballers who were given a prison sentence for defrauding, Marcelo will not be seeing the inside of a prison. In Spain, any sentences of less than two years are suspended for a first offence.

The Brazilian has been at Real Madrid for over a decade now and is one of their most important players. However, reports have not suggested that he might be looking for a move away.

However, the left-back rebuffed all speculations and said, “It's an element which is hardly worth discussing. I'm very happy at Real Madrid, it's my home and I've got many years left on my contract. I'm very happy here, it's the best club in the world, and I always want to play for the very best.”

Ronaldo’s move to Juventus was the main reason for the rumours of Marcelo joining him to come up.