Cristiano Ronaldo appeared in court on Monday in Madrid denying charges of tax fraud amounting to more than $17 million (14.7 million euros).
A case had been assembled by prosecutors at Spain's Hacienda tax agency, alleging the soccer player avoided paying taxes between 2011 and 2014, ESPN reported.
This reportedly comes after months of investigation by authorities. Ronaldo had previously denied the charges.
Appearing before Judge Monica Gomez Ferrer at a court in Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, the athlete said he had not concealed anything and did not intend to evade taxes.
According to a statement featured in Spanish sports newspaper, Marca, Ronaldo told the court he always voluntarily declared his taxes.
"I think that we must all declare and pay taxes according to our income," he said. "Those who know me know that this is what I ask from my advisers — that they keep everything up to date, and correctly paid, as I do not want any problems."
Ronaldo is accused of creating a special company when signing on with Real Madrid in 2009 to conceal income generated from image rights from Spanish tax authorities.
There has also been controversy surrounding the sale of image rights to Peter Lim in 2015 however, Ronaldo told members of the court that image rights were transferred in 2004, prior to locating to Spain in 2010.
"When I signed for Real Madrid, I did not create a special structure to manage my image rights, but I kept the one that managed them when I was in England," Ronaldo said, according to Marca.
In a statement released earlier this year, Real Madrid expressed support for Ronaldo.
"Cristiano Ronaldo has always shown since his arrival at Real Madrid CF, in July 2009, a clear will to fulfill all his tax obligations," the statement read.
"Real Madrid CF is absolutely convinced that our player Cristiano Ronaldo will prove his total innocence in this process. Real Madrid CF hopes that the Justice will act as quickly as possible so that its innocence can be demonstrated as soon as possible."
Following Ronaldo's court appearance, Gomez Ferrer will decide whether to set a trial date.
Ronaldo could face rulings to pay back all taxes as well as a fine that ESPN noted could amount to up to $50 million.
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