This morning there has been a macro-raid in Portugal, in order to combat tax fraud and money laundering in Portuguese football. Among all those investigated, one of them was Iker Casillas, who issued a statement on his social networks: “This morning the Portuguese Prosecutor's Office has come to my home in Porto, as it has gone to another 76 homes of sports societies, players and clubs , to ask me for documentation. I have made myself available to you. TRANSPARENCY is one of my principles“.
This morning the Portuguese Prosecutor's Office has come to my home in Porto, as it has gone to another 76 homes of sports societies, players and clubs, to ask me for documentation. I have put myself at your disposal. TRANSPARENCY is one of my principles.
– Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) March 4, 2020
Thus, the candidate for the presidency of the Royal Spanish Football Federation has confirmed that he is one of those investigated, although he is not worried and makes himself available to justice so that the diligence comes to fruition. The operation, called “Out of Game”, investigates “professional football business from 2015”, which allegedly involved “actions aimed at preventing the payment of tax benefits due to the Portuguese State”.
In addition to Casillas, the institutions have registered facilities of Benfica, Porto, Sporting de Portugal or Sporting de Braga, the domiciles of the representative Jorge Mendes, or of players like Jackson Martínez or Danilo.
Official statement from Iker Casillas
The exporter first issued an explanatory tweet and then an official statement:
“The Portuguese Public Prosecutor's Office registered the Iker Casillas address in Porto early this morning. This registration was produced in the framework of an operation that, according to news reports, has also registered 76 clubs, sports corporations, leaders, agents, lawyers and footballers, in an investigation for alleged tax fraud and money laundering in player transfers.
At the request of the Portuguese Prosecutor, Iker Casillas being in Madrid at that time, has been made available to the judicial authorities, collaborating with them at all times and providing all the documentation requested.
Iker Casillas states that he is “absolutely calm” regarding the investigations and that he has “full confidence” in the Portuguese Justice.
Iker expresses his desire that “transparency reaches each and every corner of football.” “That is – the player affirms – one of the main reasons why I have decided to present myself to the Presidency of the Spanish Football Federation.”