Xabi Alonso at risk of eight years in prison | OneFootball

Former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso is at risk of being handed an eight-year prison sentence for alleged tax fraud.

The 36-year-old – whose playing days came to an end at the end of last season – is accused of registering his image rights with a company in Madeira – a tax haven off the northwest coast of Africa which is out of the Spanish government’s fiscal control.

During his five years in Madrid, Alonso allegedly lodged payments from sponsors such as Adidas, Yamaha, Hugo Boss and Movistar with the company and according to El Confidencial, Spain’s state lawyers have requested an eight year prison sentence and an €8 million fine relating to three separate fiscal offences.

Alonso is reportedly convinced of his absolute innocence and has refused to negotiate any agreement with the prosecutor, but if the Treasury’s request for a penalty is successful, the former midfielder faces the possibility of going to jail.