Xabi Alonso: “The threat lasted ten years”

Xabi Alonso He spoke last night, in a press conference, about the many years of suffering he went through until he was acquitted a few days ago by the courts of alleged tax evasion. The Basque coach of Bayer Leverkusen has been clear about the reason why he was accused of defrauding the Treasury of almost two million euros between 2010 and 2012.

“It was a long fight, more than ten years. It was difficult, but from the beginning I was convinced that I was right. I won three times but later there was another appeal in the tax investigation. The prosecutors prosecuted the mine,” he explained to reporters.

And he said with relief: “I felt the pressure of the tax investigation. The demand was for prison, even though there was absolutely no reason for it. I felt that they knew they were not right. They wanted to settle with me, but I had faith in the justice system and I wanted to fight to the end.

“Am I afraid of going to jail? It’s been ten years, when you have this threat on your back, it’s not easy. But finally justice prevailed. I’m very happy that it’s over because it was a stressful matter. Now I can” I can say: I feel like I won a football title.”