Real's Casillas Pays Spanish Taxman $2.8M As Top Players Come Under Investigation

Spanish int'l and Real Madrid footballer Iker Casillas has had to pay Spanish tax authorities €2M ($2.8M) after "being subject to an investigation," according to the EFE. Casillas' Real Madrid teammate Xabi Alonso and Atlético Madrid's David Villa were also investigated. Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia reported that Casillas paid the €2M due to "differences in the way specific revenue was treated financially" (EFE, 5/6). In Barcelona, Manel Pérez reported "the offensive against fiscal fraud and undeclared revenue by famous people continues." The Spanish tax authorities' investigation "is underway and will reportedly affect seven elite footballers." Sources close to Casillas said, "As of today, Iker and his company, Ikerka (which manages Casillas' image rights), are up to date on their financial obligations." The case of Casillas, "unlike in Lionel Messi's case, did not see Casillas try to elude his financial responsibilities, which is why the process was not treated as a crime" (LA VANGUARDIA, 5/6).