Former Ballon d'Or winner Fabio Cannavaro given a 10-month jail sentence

Fabio Cannavaro sentenced to 10 months in prison

Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning skipper Fabio Cannavaro has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for violating orders to stay away from his property that was seized by authorities.The authorities seized goods worth €1m related to the former defender and his wife in October last year and took away a yacht, costing €180,000.

The 41-year-old, who played 136 matches for his country between 1997 and 2010, has been investigated by authorities on charges of tax evasion and his failure to abide by the ruling was caught when he was found having a swim with his wife in the property’s pool. His wife, Daniela Arenoso, and brother Paolo, who represents Sassuolo in Serie A, were also given custodial sentences.

Sentence suspended due to appeal against verdict

The trio has appealed against the verdict and hence have their sentences suspended until a final judgement is given on the issue.

Reports have also emerged that the former Inter Milan centre-back’s company FD Service owes unpaid taxes of over €1m.The Italian Agency of Revenue claims that the firm underpaid on Corporation Tax, Regional Tax and VAT for a duration of 5 years, between 2005 and 2010.

Cannavaro was appointed the coach of Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande recently, and was a pundit for iTV during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.