Arsenal star threatened with jail: Key man being investigated over alleged wrongdoing

ARSENAL star Alexis Sanchez is reportedly in trouble with the taxman - and has been threatened with a jail spell.

By Rhys Turrell        

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is being investigated by Spanish tax authorities

Reports from Spain claim an investigation has been opened into Sanchez over allegedly withholding taxes during his time at Barcelona.

Barcelona-based newspaper El Periodico reported last night that authorities have accused Sanchez of not paying €983,443 [£888,736] during his time at the Nou Camp between 2011 until 2014.

The Chilean international is alleged to have not declared the income made from image rights in 2012 (€587,677) and 2013 (€395,766).

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez played for Barcelona between 2011 and 2014

Prosecutor Miguel Angel Perez de Gregorio claims he “simulated” the transfer of those rights to an offshore company called Numidia Trading, based in Malta.

If found guilty Sanchez could be given a prison sentence.

The Chilean international is the latest Barcelona star to be caught up in a tax case.

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez poses after signing for the club in 2014

His former team-mates Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano have also come under the eye of Spanish investigators.
Argentine superstar Messi was sentence to 21 months in jail and handed a fine earlier this year while his countryman Mascherano accepted a year in jail and a fine.

Neither have served time behind bars though as under Spanish law any prison sentence under two years can be suspended.
Sanchez moved from Barcelona to Arsenal in 2014 for £35m.
dailystar.co.uk