Arda Turan, the former Barcelona footballer, has been found guilty of tax fraud by a Spanish court and has been handed a one-year suspended prison sentence, with a fine of 630,000 euros ($684,000).
The court ruled that Turan committed two counts of tax fraud in 2015 and 2016, during his time playing for Barcelona. Despite pleading guilty, Turan’s sentence has been postponed on the condition that he does not commit any further crimes for the next two years.
Turan, who later played for Basaksehir and Galatasaray before retiring in 2022, was found to have evaded his tax obligations in Spain, despite earning significant income in the country. The prosecutor’s office and Turan’s defense lawyers agreed to the suspension of his sentence, provided he stays out of trouble for the specified period.
This case adds to the list of football stars caught up in tax-related legal issues in Spain, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jose Mourinho. However, like Turan, none of them have served time in prison due to sentences of less than two years being typically suspended for first-time offenders in Spain.
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The verdict serves as a reminder of the scrutiny faced by high-profile athletes regarding their financial affairs, especially in countries with strict tax regulations. Turan’s case highlights the consequences of tax evasion, even for renowned sports personalities.
