SPAIN and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta is being accused of tax evasion by Japanese authorities, according to reports.
The iconic midfielder, 39, spent five years playing in Japan with Vissel Kobe between 2018 and 2023.
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He broke down in tears last summer after his final appearance for the club.
But now it is off-field matters that are making headlines.
According to Sport, Japanese tax authorities are demanding 580 million yen [around £3million] as they allege he did not properly declare his income during his time in the country.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Iniesta has called for “respect and caution” surrounding the allegations.
He also insists he has already settled a debt from a 2021/22 inspection that found he was a Japanese resident for part of 2018.
Iniesta also claimed he had been the subject of “obvious and burdensome double taxation”.
World Cup winner Iniesta is one of three foreign footballers that played in Japan who are the subject of accusations from the Japanese Tax Agency.
Another of the players is South Korean keeper Kim Jin-hyeon, 36, who is accused of owing around £3.62m.
And the final one is Brazilian forward Anderson Patric Aguiar Oliveira, also known as “Patric”, accused of failing to pay around £3.1m.
The trio are all facing allegations of not correctly complying with their tax obligations.
The authorities consider Iniesta to have been a Japanese resident throughout his time playing for Vissel Kobe – where he lived with his family.
Iniesta, who won nine LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues with Barcelona, looked set to retire after leaving Vissel Kobe.
But he then ended up signing for UAE side Emirates in August and has played 13 games for the club, scoring two goals.
Iniesta, who is just seven weeks away from his 40th birthday, earned the last of his 131 Spain caps in 2018 having won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.
