Five-year prison sentence sought for former Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso in tax caseGETTY IMAGES Spanish authorities have accused Xabi Alonso, pictured playing for Spain at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, of tax fraud. Spanish prosecutors are seeking a five-year prison sentence for former Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich star Xabi Alonso for alleged tax fraud. Prosecutors accuse Alonso, 36, of defrauding tax authorities of about two million euros (NZ$3.2m) from 2010-12. They also want Alonso to pay a fine of four million euros (NZ$6.84million), in addition to the amount allegedly defrauded. Many players have been targeted by Spanish tax authorities in recent years, including Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who two years ago was found guilty - along with his father - of defrauding authorities of four million euros (NZ$7m).

Source: Stuff March 22, 2018 00:45 UTC