Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa to face trial for tax fraud

Atletico Madrid professional forward Diego Costa. Born 7 October 1988 in Lagarto, Brazil. In September 2017, Chelsea announced that Costa would return to Atlético at the start of the next transfer window in January 2018. In September 2017, it was announced that after passing medical tests Costa signed a contract with Atlético. Photo: SimonStacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty

Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa is to face trial on 4 June for tax fraud.

According to a court filing, Costa, 31, defrauded the state of more than 1m euros (£813,000) by not declaring payments of
more than 5.15m euros (£4.19m) from his 2014 move to Chelsea.

In addition, he did not declare more than 1m euros in image rights.

Prosecutors in Madrid want the Spain international to be given a six month prison sentence and a fine of 507,208 euros (£457,128).

Referee Danny Makkelie speaks to Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa. Photo: RobbieJayBarratt-AMA/Getty

Spanish law allows sentences below two years for non-violent crimes to be exchanged for a fine, so if found guilty Costa would avoid prison if he paid an additional fine of 36,500 euros (£32,896).

Costa re-joined Atletico from Chelsea in 2017.
BBCSport