Ronaldo accused of €14.7M tax evasion

Cristiano Ronaldo has been accused of defrauding Spanish tax authorities of €14.7 million in unpaid taxes.

Madrid's regional state prosecutor filed a lawsuit Tuesday which stated that the Real Madrid star is facing four counts of tax fraud, which is said to have taken place between 2011 and 2014.

According to the BBC, Ronaldo is being accused of "knowingly" hiding income earned through image rights and taking advantage of a business structure designed to mask generated income.

Ronaldo has previously denied allegations pertaining to tax fraud, saying that he has nothing to fear after allegations were made against him in December.

"You believe I am worried? He who owes nothing, fears nothing," Ronaldo told reporters.

He is considered the world's richest athlete after earning just over €80 million last year through various revenue streams.

La Liga rival Lionel Messi faced a similar charge last summer and was eventually found guilty of tax fraud. He was sentenced to 21 months in jail, but avoided serving time as Spanish law states that first-time offenders do not have to adhere to prison sentences under two years.