According to the Football Leaks investigation conducted by twelve European media outlets including Mediapart, players Cristiano Ronaldo, Falcao and coach José Mourinho have evaded massive amounts of tax by using shell companies (money laundering fronts) and offshore accounts.
Cristiano Ronaldo has concealed 150 million euros in tax havens over the past seven years, according to Mediapart, who participated in Football Leaks. The Portuguese striker took advantage of an elaborate tax evasion system set up by his agent Jorge Mendes, as did coach José Mourinho and striker Falcao. Initial findings were released on Friday and are expected to be published over the next three weeks.
Influential football agent Jorge Mendes is at the centre of a very elaborate system of tax evasion and income concealment, according to Mediapart. The Portuguese citizen allegedly used a network of offshore accounts in tax havens like Ireland, the British Virgin Islands, Panama and Switzerland. His clients include: Cristiano Ronaldo, José Mourinho, James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao and Ricardo Carvalho.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid striker
Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo has concealed €150m in tax havens over the past seven years, according to Football Leaks. This allowed him to pay minimal taxes (less than 4%). According to the player’s lawyers, the investigation is ongoing after a tax audit for income between 2011-2013.
The Real Madrid player risked a tax inspection when, on the 20th of December, 2014, he sold his marketing rights for the years 2010-2015 for € 74.7 M and used a tax system which disappeared at the end of the 2014 calendar year. Estimated savings on this transaction: €31 million in unpaid taxes.
José Mourinho, Coach
Football Leaks’ documents show that José Mourinho concealed €12 M in the fiscal year. The money was placed in a Swiss account held by a front company registered in the British Virgin Islands.
The coach was caught by a tax inspection in Spain and paid €4.4 million in settlement fees.
Falcao, Player
Another star striker, Falcao concealed part of his income in a Swiss account when he played for Atlético de Madrid (until 2013). Approximately €1.3 million was allegedly moved via companies in Ireland and the Virgin Islands.
What is Football Leaks?
Football Leaks is the result of a joint investigation from twelve European newspapers in the European Investigative Collaboration (EIC) network. They analyzed 18.6 million documents (1900 gigabytes of data) obtained by the German weekly Der Spiegel. Their discoveries are expected to be published over the next three weeks and should include tax fraud, mafia connections and exploitation of underage players.
VadimVasilyev supports Falcao after Football Leaks
VadimVasilyev, vice president of Monaco, supported Radamel Falcao, who was implicated in the Football Leaks investigation.
“I have read about this subject, like you, in newspapers and in the press. I have no more sources. I will follow everything as it happens,”said Vadim Vasilyev, vice-president of Monaco, after leaving Monaco-Bastia (5-0) and answering a question about Football Leaks. Concerning Radamel Falcao he said: “This is our player. He has all of our support. It’s a private matter. AS Monaco is not concerned.”
“Every time Spanish authorities have asked for information, we have complied with them through my lawyers,”Falcao said. “Lawyers know the situation. I can do nothing more. I will concentrate on what I can do: play football.”
Asked about his agent Jorge Mendes, who was also implicated, he replied: “I cannot say more. It’s in the hands of his lawyers. Again, every time we have been approached by the authorities, we have always co-operated with them. It is in (his lawyers) hands.”
According to Football Leaks, Falcao has, “in his name alone: $2.2 million in an account in Miami and $8.5 million in his account in Monaco, not counting his trust in Colombia”.
