Barcelona defender admits to two counts of tax fraud

Barcelona's defender Javier Mascherano on Thursday, October 29 admitted to a Gava court to two counts of tax fraud of over £1million.

The Argentina international told the judge that he failed to declare his earnings from 2011 and 2012 at the hearing that lasted just five minutes.

Also read: Barcelona to appeal Mascherano's dismissal

quoted a judicial source which said that the defenders was not interrogated because he admitted to the two counts of tax fraud.

According to a court filing released last month,  Mascherano deposited nearly £1.25m with the tax authorities on September 9 to repay the amount owed plus interest.

The judge must now decide whether the case proceeds to trial even though the player had paid.

Also read: Mascherano charged with tax fraud

Mascherano is the latest in the line of Barcelona players who have fallen out with the tax authorities in Spain.

Lionel Messiand Neymarare currently in legal battles with authorities in Spain over tax issues.

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