Statement defending Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho against tax claims

Gestifute, a firm representing both Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, has spoken up in defence of the pair after allegations of tax evasion made against them.

Football Leaks gave information to various media organisations in different countries, who reported the story this week, claiming that various players used tax havens to save money. 

Gestifute released a statement reading:

"One newspaper makes the unfounded allegation that Gestifute, its clients and its advisers of having, directly or indirectly, created, organized or designed tax structures to facilitate tax evasion using tax havens.

"The most serious and malicious allegations in the enquiries relate to Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Furthermore, today news have come out insinuating a reprehensible conduct by Cristiano Ronaldo and questioning his good name.

"In this regard, Gestifute publicly states that:

- Both Cristiano Ronaldo and José Mourinho are fully compliant with their tax obligations with the Spanish and British tax authorities.

- Neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor José Mourinho have ever been involved in legal proceedings regarding the commission of a tax offense.

- Any insinuation or accusation made to Cristiano Ronaldo or José Mourinho over the commission of a tax offense will be reported to the legal authorities and prosecuted.

"In addition, Gestifute publicly states that:

- We always act with the highest level of professionalism in our relationships with our clients and the authorities in all those countries in which we operate.

- Our goal as a company is to provide the best advice to our clients, always within the framework of the applicable law at the time in each country we operate.

- European tax authorities have different criteria in terms of image rights and foreign clients are often affected by these differences, which they respect and abide by. In any cases in which there have been disagreements with the respective authorities on the tax criteria to be applied, these have always been resolved by agreement with the authorities without legal proceedings ever being necessary.

- We will not hesitate to take legal action to defend ourselves and our clients over any untrue and unlawful allegations published about us."