Ronaldo Sentenced to Community Service for Tax EvasionRonaldo Sentenced to Community Service for Tax Evasion Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s most renowned soccer players, has been sentenced to two years of community service for tax evasion. The Portuguese superstar admitted to defrauding the Spanish tax authorities of €14.7 million ($17 million) between 2011 and 2014. According to the indictment, Ronaldo used a network of shell companies in Ireland and other tax havens to conceal his income from image rights. By doing so, he avoided paying €8.5 million in taxes. The judge who sentenced Ronaldo suspended his prison term because he had no prior criminal record. Instead, he was ordered to pay a fine of €18.8 million and perform 365 days of community service. Ronaldo’s tax evasion scheme came to light in 2017, when the Football Leaks investigation revealed a massive trove of leaked documents exposing the financial dealings of soccer players and clubs. The Spanish tax authorities subsequently launched an investigation into Ronaldo’s finances. In a statement, Ronaldo’s lawyers said that he had reached an agreement with the authorities to resolve the case. They argued that Ronaldo had not intentionally evaded taxes but had simply followed the advice of his financial advisors. However, prosecutors maintained that Ronaldo was fully aware of his actions and had deliberately concealed his income. They also accused him of using offshore accounts to launder money. The Ronaldo case is one of the highest-profile examples of tax evasion in the soccer world. It has raised questions about the financial practices of top athletes and the effectiveness of tax laws in combatting fraud. While Ronaldo has admitted to his wrongdoing, the case is unlikely to damage his reputation among fans. He remains one of the most beloved and successful players in the history of the sport.