Javier Mascherano is one of Barcelona's most celebrated players, his tactical awareness and skill have saved the Catalans many a time. The “Little Chef” failed to pay taxes worth €1.5 million between the years 2011-2012.
Mascherano was later questioned by the tax authorities and was sentenced to a year in jail along with having to pay a fine of €800,000. Mascherano had failed to disclose to the authorities how much he had earned from his image rights. However, Mascherano didn't serve any jail time as his lawyers proposed paying a bigger fine to avoid prison.
“I’m a sporting professional, I don’t have a great understanding of tax and legal matters,” was what Mascherano said in his defense.
“Therefore, to deal with what are for me technical and complicated matters, I have to rely on other people. Throughout my entire career, I have been an honest person, responsible and respectful of my team-mates and the clubs that I have played for and the countries I have lived in.I reserve the possibility of action against those who have badly advised me by recommending something that was not right.” said the Argentine.
Barcelona’s poor financial advice to Mascherano had landed him in trouble.