Report: Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano to face tax fraud charges

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano will reportedly face fraud charges from Spain's tax agency after failing to disclose earnings from his image rights, according to Spanish outlet El Pais.

The Argentine international reportedly paid €1.5 million in back taxes, plus interest, to fiscal authorities for the unreported 2011 and 2012 earnings; however, Spain's tax agency still plans to file a complaint for two counts of tax fraud.

The investigation began after a Portuguese TV station claimed Mascherano was dodging taxes in Madeira, considered a tax haven by Spanish government officials, El Pais reports. A probe into Mascherano's financial situation revealed he allegedly dodged taxes to the tune of €587,822 in 2011 and €968,907 in 2012 in both Madeira and Miami.

Mascherano isn't the only Barcelona player who has come under scrutiny for unpaid taxes in Spain - fellow Argentine international Lionel Messi faces similar charges for an unpaid €4.1 million between 2007 and 2009.