Luxury Watch Smuggling Probe: Seven Football Stars Under Investigation by Andorran Authorities
High-complete horology and high-stakes legal battles have collided as seven prominent football figures find themselves in the crosshairs of the Andorran justice system. A sweeping investigation into the smuggling of luxury watches has implicated several current Liga players and one retired international, with some individual transactions reportedly reaching 400,000 euros.
The probe centers on the activities of Best In Asociados, an Andorran-based company accused of illegally commercializing luxury timepieces. Whereas the purchases themselves reportedly took place in Madrid and other Spanish cities, the legal friction arises from a critical failure at the border: the luxury items were allegedly brought from Andorra into Spain without the required customs declarations, allowing the buyers to bypass mandatory taxes.
The Players in the Crosshairs
The list of suspects includes some of the most recognizable names in Spanish football, including several who have represented the national team, La Roja. According to reports from L’Indépendant and El Mundo, the seven individuals under investigation are:
- Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
- Santi Cazorla (Oviedo)
- César Azpilicueta (Seville)
- Giovani Lo Celso (Betis)
- Thomas Partey (Villarreal)
- Juan Bernat (Eibar)
- David Silva (Retired)
For those unfamiliar with the logistics of luxury imports, a customs declaration is essentially a formal statement to the government that a high-value item is entering the country, triggering the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) and other duties. By omitting these declarations, the parties involved allegedly evaded significant tax obligations on items that, in some cases, cost nearly half a million euros.
The Role of Best In Asociados
The investigation points to Best In Asociados as the primary engine behind the scheme. The company is reportedly managed by a 33-year-old businessman who is already facing severe legal consequences; he was incarcerated in October 2025 on charges of money laundering.
The scope of the operation appears to extend beyond the football stars. Reports indicate that seven additional Spanish individuals or companies are also being scrutinized. These entities are suspected of participating in the sale of the watches to Best In Asociados, which then facilitated the resale of the luxury goods within Spain.
Financial Stakes and Legal Implications
The scale of the financial transactions involved is substantial. While the total value of the overall case is estimated to be several hundred thousand euros—and potentially much more—specific transactions linked to the players are reported to be as high as 400,000 euros per watch.
As detailed by 20 minutes, the investigation is being led by Andorran authorities, though the impact is felt heavily in Spain given the residency and employment of the suspects. The players are accused of purchasing these luxury items through a system that intentionally circumvented the law to avoid taxation.
What Happens Next?
The legal process is currently in the instructional phase. Authorities have indicated that the suspects could be summoned for questioning in the near future to clarify their roles in the transactions and the movement of the goods across the border.
The coming weeks will be critical as investigators determine whether the players were aware of the smuggling nature of the transactions or if they were misled by the operators of Best In Asociados. For players like Dani Carvajal, a pillar of the 2024 European Championship-winning squad, the investigation adds a layer of legal uncertainty to an otherwise decorated career.
The next confirmed checkpoint in this case will be the official summons and questioning of the implicated players by the Andorran justice system.
Do you think high-profile athletes should be held to a higher standard regarding tax compliance on luxury goods? Let us grasp in the comments.
