Football leaks: Ronaldo and Mourinho agent hits back at tax evasion claims

Football super agent Jorge Mendes has hit back after claims two of his biggest clients, Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo took part in a multi-million euro tax avoidance racket. Gestifute, the firm run by Mendes, has strenuously denied the accusations, based on leaked documents, that several of its players, including the Manchester United boss and Real Madrid star, have hidden millions in tax havens in Switzerland and the British Virgin Islands. It is alleged that Ronaldo alone effectively paid only four percent tax, stashing around 150 million euros in off-shore accounts. Citing documents provided by a website entitled Football Leaks, 12 European media outlets say they plan to disclose the results of investigations into alleged corruption in the game over the next few weeks. Denying any wrongdoing by its clients, Gestifute said both Ronaldo and Mourinho had fully complied with their fiscal obligations in both Spain and the United Kingdom The Manchester United coach is said to have concealed a lesser amount than his Portuguese compatriot in a Swiss bank account owned by a British Virgin Islands company. While Mourinho and Ronaldo are the highest profile names so far to be mentioned, another player managed by Gestifute, Monaco striker Radamel Falcao, is also alleged to have benefited from the tax fraud scheme.