Justice: 10 and a half years in prison and a fine of €18m for Samuel Eto'o (CAM)

The Spanish Public Prosecutor's Office seeks to sentence Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o to 10 and a half years in prison and a €18m fine for tax evasion, announced on 24/11/2016. In Spain, the recommendations of the Public Prosecutor's Office are made before moving to court proceedings. The initial court hearing regarding the former FC Barcelona player (2004 to 2009) has not yet been scheduled.

Samuel Eto'o and his former representative (Josep Maria Mesalles) are accused of setting up shell companies between 2006 and 2009, when the player was with FC Barcelona (LaLiga Santander) to avoid declaring part of the revenue from the image rights of the player. This evasion has created a shortfall of about €3.9m due from the player to the Spanish tax authorities.

"The footballer did believe that these rights had been sold to two companies domiciled in Hungary and Spain, respectively, in order to reduce his tax burden by fraudulent means," said the Spanish Spanish Public Prosecutor's Office on 24/11/2016. The prosecution believes that the defendant be ordered to refund the amount of the…