Report: Ronaldo accepts suspended sentence, €18.8M fine in tax case

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly accepted a suspended prison sentence and agreed to a pay a significant fine to resolve tax evasion charges in Spain.

The Real Madrid star - among several high-profile footballers that authorities have targeted in recent years - initially denied accusations that he'd defrauded the Spanish tax system of €14.8 million.

According to reports in Spain, as translated by BBC Sport, the case against Ronaldo was settled after he accepted a suspended two-year prison sentence and was ordered to pay a €18.8-million fine.

Despite the prison sentence, Ronaldo is not expected to serve any time in jail. In Spain, prison terms under two years can be served on probation without the accused being in custody.

The charges against Ronaldo stemmed from an alleged attempt to hide money he'd earned from image rights.

News of the settlement came just hours before Portugal's opening match at the World Cup against Spain.

Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez, and Luka Modric are among the other football players that have been charged with tax fraud in recent years.