Cristiano Ronaldo will accept a two-year prison sentence and a fine worth €19 million (£16.9m/$22.15m) after striking a deal with Spanish authorities over tax charges,National Daily gathered.
The ex-Real Madrid striker, now at Juventus, pleaded guilty to four charges of evasion between 2011 and 2014 worth a total of €14.7m.
According to EFE, that amount has been reduced in his guilty plea to €5.7m, although taking into account fines, interests and other cost the sum ascends to €19m.
The charges were initially denied by Ronaldo and his management company Gestifute, with the player answering tetchily whenever questioned over the matter.
After reports emerged that the Spanish government had rejected an initial offer to settle the case, Cristiano wrote on Instagram “Don’t try to spoil the beautiful moment I’m living through with fake news,” while on another occasion he insisted: “I do things the right way and I will continue to do so.”
As a first-time offender Ronaldo’s prison sentence will not be made effective, meaning that he will not spend time behind bars.