Manchester United Football Club manager, José Mourinho, has issued a statement following recent accusations claiming that he moved millions of pounds offshore to avoid paying tax
The statement was posted by his representatives Gestifute who have previously denied any wrongdoing.
The statement read: ‘José Mourinho, who resided in Spain from June 2010 until May 2013, paid more than 26 million euros in taxes, with an average rate of more than 41%.
‘As it was revealed last week, the Spanish authorities, through the Tax Agency, confirmed with a certificate that he is up to date on his tax obligations.’
Mourinho is said to have avoided paying tax on earnings from the use of his image rights for product endorsement by moving £10m offshore into a Swiss account owned by a British Virgin Islands (BVI) firm. Substantial costs were deducted for the BVI company although, it is alleged, it had no employees.
Gestifute also represents Cristiano Ronaldo, who used to play under Mourinho at Real Madrid, has also been accused of moving money to the BVI as part of ‘highly aggressive tax avoidance’.
In a previous statement, Gestifute said: ‘Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho are fully compliant with their tax obligations with the Spanish and British tax authorities. Neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Jose Mourinho have ever been involved in legal proceedings regarding the commission of a tax offence.
‘Any insinuation or accusation made to Cristiano Ronaldo or Jose Mourinho over the commission of a tax offence will be reported to the legal authorities and prosecuted.’
