Modric makes tax payment to avoid trial: Report

Madrid, Jan 9 (IANS) Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric has paid a million euros ($1.19 million) to the Spanish tax authorities (Hacienda) in order to avoid a possible prison sentence for fraud, the 'El Mundo' newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Modric was due to appear in court on Tuesday to answer two charges of tax avoidance relating to 2013 and 2014 and is accused of defrauding a total of 870,728 euros over the two years with the money being channelled through a Luxembourg-based company, reports Xinhua news agency.

By accepting the charges and making the payment of the money he is accused of defrauding, plus interest and an added fine, the player aims to avoid having to appear in court and the risk of a prison sentence.

Modric is the latest in a line of current and former Real Madrid players to have problems with the tax authorities, with the ongoing investigation into Cristiano Ronaldo, who denies any wrongdoing, in the most high-profile case.

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