In terms of sport, things are going sensationally for Xabi Alonso (41) with Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen. But the most personally important victory for the coach came in Spain before the highest court. By then he was even threatened with prison.
Bayer coach Alonso has now been acquitted of tax evasion charges in the final instance.
The world champion was accused of not having taxed income from image rights. Payments amounting to 2 million euros are said to have been processed via a mailbox company.
Xabi Alonso on the sidelines during the game against Qarabag
Photo: Andreas Pohl / BILD
When BILD Alonso addressed the topic on Friday afternoon in Leverkusen, the coach replied in English because he could express himself more confidently about the matter, which is so important to him.
Alonso: “It was a long fight, over ten years. It was hard. From the beginning I was convinced that I was right. I had won in three instances. But there was another appeal from the tax investigation afterwards. The prosecutors hunted me.”
Alonso was now right – finally!
He says with relief: “I felt the pressure of the tax investigation. The request was for prison. Even though there was absolutely no reason for it. I felt like they knew they weren’t right. They wanted to make a settlement with me. But I had faith in the justice system and wanted to fight to the end.”
Question: Were you afraid of prison?
Alonso: “It’s been ten years – when you have this threat on your back, it’s not easy. But ultimately justice prevailed. I’m very happy that it’s over now because it was a stressful affair. Now I can say: it feels like a football title.”
That would be his first title this season. Will the second one with Leverkusen follow, the championship in the summer of 2024? If Xabi’s magicians keep acting up like this…
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2023-10-27 21:17:48
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