Diego Costa Escapes Jail Term With Fine

Atletico Madrid striker, Diego Costa, has been found guilty of tax fraud and sentenced to six months in prison with a fine of 485,324 pounds.

The former Chelsea forward pleaded guilty to defrauding the state of 813,000 pounds by not declaring payments of more than 4.19 million pounds from his transfer to Chelsea in 2014.

Costa is also said to have concealed an Image right payment to the tune of 890, 000 pounds

Spanish sports tabloid, El Mundi Deportivo, reports that the forward asked Atletico to pay the fine for him but the club refused and claimed to have given him an advance on his wages that would help him pay up his debts.

A spokesman from the club said on Wednesday:“Costa reached an agreement a few months ago with the prosecutor and has already paid the corresponding fine plus interest and the request for a prison sentence was withdrawn.

“This week it is expected that agreement will be ratified in court, as is mandatory.”