Football Leaks, the huge investigation into the world of Champions

Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho could have been involved in a multi million-euro system of "tax evasion", according to leaked documents obtained by a number of media outlets.

A group of 12 European newspapers said it intends to disclose over the next three weeks the results of investigations, based on 18 million documents of leaked data, into widespread alleged corruption at the heart of football under the banner "Football Leaks".

Based on leaked documents obtained by German weekly Der Spiegel, the outlets claim that Real Madrid and Portuguese star Ronaldo could have "hidden 150 million euros in tax havens in Switzerland and the British Virgin Islands".
"On this amount, the striker paid only 5.6 million euros in taxes, or barely four percent," added the report.

The striker received sponsorship fees which were moved via two Irish companies to the offshore jurisdictions, 11 days before Spain changed an advantageous tax law, said the publication.
According to the European Investigative Collaborations (EIC) consortium, Manchester United manager Mourinho is said, via Mendes, to have "concealed 12 million euros in a Swiss account owned by a British Virgin Islands company". 
The leaked documents relate to the time that Mourinho spent as manager of Real Madrid, between 2010, and 2013, reported Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

Both Ronaldo and Mourinho have denied the claims, with Gestifute adding in a statement: "Any insinuation or accusation made to Cristiano Ronaldo or Jose Mourinho over the commission of a tax offence will be reported to the legal authorities and prosecuted." 

Manchester United declined to comment on the basis that the allegations relate to events before Mourinho was an employee of the club. Real Madrid also declined to comment.

This is hardly the first time soccer's top figures have been accused of tax evasion and financial irregularities. Lionel Messi was convicted of tax fraud this summer, but did not have to serve time in jail because it was a first offense. Meanwhile, Messi's Barcelona teammate Neymar appears to be on track to stand trial over financial issues in his transfer from Santos to Barcelona.