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Former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid star Ardan Ruran has received a one-year prison sentence for tax fraud in Spain, as per Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. A Spanish court ruled on Tuesday, March 19, that the former Turkey international was found guilty of committing two counts of tax fraud in 2015 and 2016.
Sentences for less than two years can be suspended for first-time offenders in Spain, which means the former Barcelona midfielder won't have to go to jail. However, he has been charged with a hefty fine of €633,000.
Turan will have to pay two fines of €303,000 for 2015 and €330,000 for 2016 respectively. The former attacking midfielder did not submit the self-assessment of the tax for the aforementioned financial years despite earning a significant amount on wages and other bonuses.
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This is not the first time a major football star has been caught for tax fraud in Spain. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jose Mourinho were also convicted in similar cases. However, none of them went behind bars and had to pay big fines instead.
Turan spent a significant period of his football career as a player in Spain, having plied his trade for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. He joined Barca in 2015 from Atletico Madrid and played for the Catalan club until he was loaned in January 2018 to Basaksehir.
The 37-year-old made a total of 233 appearances for the two clubs in total, scoring 37 goals and producing 43 assists. The 100-cap Turkey international hung up his boots in 2022 after his second spell at Galatasaray and is currently the manager of TFF First League club Eyüpspor.
Barcelona superstar linked with shock move to La Liga rivals: Reports
Barcelona attacker Robert Lewandowski has been linked with a shock move to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid, as per Football Espana. The Poland international has been a major hit at Camp Nou following his €50 million switch from Bayern Munich in 2022.
He has scored 53 goals and provided 17 assists in 85 games for the Blaugrana to date. However, it has been claimed that Barca could opt to cash in on the superstar if they receive the right offer.
Atletico Madrid are reportedly keen on the 35-year-old's signature and are prepared to meet his wage demands. Diego Simeone's side signed Luis Suarez from Barcelona in the past in his twilight years and the move paid off as he guided them to La Liga title in 2020-21.
