Former Chelsea star prepares to face trial for alleged tax fraud

Former Chelsea forward Diego Coster has Today (Thursday)
appeared in court as he prepares to face trials for alleged tax dodge.

Sky Sports reports that the Spaniard is accused of
defrauding the state more than 1 million euros (£900,000) after failing to
declare payments of more than 5.15m euros (£4.63m) following his move from
Chelsea in 2014.

The 31-year-old is also accused of failing to declare image
rights of more than 1m euros.

Prosecutors in Madrid are yet to impose a six-month prison
sentence and a fine of more than 500,000 euros (£450,000).

Diego moved from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid in 2014, and
club spokesman maintain that, “Diego Costa reached an agreement a few months
ago with the prosecutor and has already paid the corresponding fine plus
interest and the request for a prison sentence was withdrawn.”

Sentence below two years for non-violent crimes can be
exchanged for a fine according to Spain law, and if found guilty, Costa would
avoid prison if he paid an additional fine of 36,500 euros (£32,896).

“This week it is expected that agreement will be ratified
in court, as is mandatory,” added the spokesman.

The La Liga season will be resuming in seven days’ time which
will see Atletico Madrid travels to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, June 14.