Barcelona defender, Javier Mascherano, who was sentenced to one year in prison by a Spanish court on Thursday, has described himself as a honest man who was badly advised.
The Argentine had been accused of failing to disclose about €1. 5 million earned as image rights between 2011 and 2012..
He said in a statement published on the Barcelona website.
“I’m a sporting professional, I don’t have a great understanding of tax and legal matters.
“Therefore, to deal with what are for me technical and complicated matters, I have to rely on other people.
“Throughout all my career I have been an honest person, responsible and respectful of my team-mates and the clubs that I have played for and the countries I have lived in.
“I reserve the possibility of action against those who have badly advised me by recommending something that was not right.”
Mascherano is not expected to serve time, as it is believed his sentenced will be commuted to fines.
