Ronaldo Reportedly Agrees To Fine, Suspended Jail Term In Tax Case

Cristiano Ronaldo is unlikely to serve any time in prison as a result of the settlement.GETTY IMAGES

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly agreed to accept a €18.8M ($21.9M) fine and a suspended jail term "to settle tax evasion charges," according to the BBC. The Real Madrid and Portugal footballer, 33, was accused last year of defrauding tax authorities of €14.8M -- "charges he denies." Ronaldo reportedly offered to pay €14M in June '17 but the government rejected the offer. The news came before he scored a hat trick against Spain on Friday. Ronaldo is "unlikely to serve any time in prison under the deal -- reportedly a verbal one at this stage." Under Spanish law, a two-year sentence for a first offense "can be served on probation, with no requirement for custody." Any deal would have to be agreed by Spain's tax agency. Ronaldo's agency has yet to comment on the latest reports (BBC, 6/15).