Never Hidden Anything, Says Cristiano Ronaldo After Denying Tax Evasion Charges

The 32-year-old striker, who was in the Pozuelo de Alarcon court, refused to speak to reporters afterwards.

Real Madrid star forward Cristiano Ronaldo protested his innocence after testifying in court against charges of evading 14.7 million euros ($17.3 million) in taxes.

The 32-year-old Portuguese, who was in the Pozuelo de Alarcon court, refused to speak to reporters afterwards, but he released a statement through his agency Gestifute.

“The Spanish tax authorities know my income in detail, because we have given it to them. I have never hidden anything in my declarations, nor have I had the smallest intention of evading taxes,” Ronaldo said.

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“I always make my declarations voluntarily, because I think we all have to declare and pay tax in accordance to our incomes. Those who know me know what I ask my advisors: that they take their time on it and pay correctly, because I don’t want problems.”

Ronaldo left the court through the garage door, the same way he entered, to avoid the media scrum gathered outside the court.

Hundreds of journalists from over 15 different countries and around 40 TV cameras descended on the town in anticipation of catching a glimpse of the soccer legend.

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The Spanish anti-corruption prosecutor accused the Portugal international of creating a corporate structure to defraud 14.7 million euros ($17.25m) in a “conscious and voluntary” manner.

Ronaldo is under investigation for four alleged crimes against the public treasury committed between 2011 and 2014.

With inputs from agencies.