Cameroon striker, Eto'o faces Spanish tax evasion charge

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A Spanish public prosecutor has accused Cameroon striker, Samuel Eto’o, of conspiring to evade 3.5 million euros in taxes owed on income from his image rights when he was playing for Barcelona
between 2006-2009.

The former Barca and Inter Milan player, now with Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala, is accused of four tax offences, each punishable with up to five years in prison and a fine of as much as 21 million euros.

The case presented by the prosecutor on June 15 at a Barcelona court, and which was seen by Reuters on Thursday, asks a judge to open proceedings against the player before the statute of limitations on one of the alleged offences expires on Saturday.

Spain recently launched a drive against tax evasion as it struggles to meet tough European deficit reduction targets that have meant budget cuts for hospitals and schools.

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Eto’o allegedly created two companies, one in Hungary and another in Spain, and used them to channel income obtained from ceding his image rights to Barca and sportswear maker Puma, the prosecutor said.

The Hungarian company paid one of the lowest corporate tax rates in
Europe – 10 per cent to 19 per cent – while the Spanish company paid a reduced corporate tax rate of 30 per cent to 35 per cent, instead of the 45 per cent income tax rate, the charge said.

Eto’o also allegedly used the Spanish company to deduct personal expenses, such as payments for his mortgages, furniture and expenses related to his luxury cars, the complaint added.

Eto’o and his club could not immediately be reached for comment.

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