Xabi Alonso facing potential 5-year jail term for tax fraud

The recently retired Xabi Alonso could face a spell behind bars after being accused of tax fraud.

Spain's prosecutor released a statement which revealed a five-year jail sentence and €4-million fine are being sought, Reuters reports. Alonso, formerly a respected midfielder for Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, apparently defrauded the Spanish state of €2 million between 2010 and 2012.

Leading stars of the country's game becoming embroiled in tax evasion cases is not unfamiliar. Ex-Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi headline a host of names who have been either punished or have been under investigation from the Spanish tax authorities in the last 12 months.

Messi was given a 21-month jail sentence for tax evasion in July 2017, but his punishment was later changed to a €180,000 fine.

The prosecutor also advised the same jail term to be applied to Alonso's financial advisor Ivan Zaldua and the administrator of consultancy shell company, Ignasi Maestre Casanova.

Alonso denies any wrongdoing, according to Sky Sports.