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Elite Soccer’s Culture of Graft

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Re: Elite Soccer’s Culture of Graft

#3

Post by pitt1980 »

Interesting that Messi had tax problems in Spain as well.

Neither of these guys are filling out their own taxes.

Why did their accountants think it was a good idea to complete their taxes in a way that wound up getting them in trouble?

Or why did Spain think these guys were alluring targets to spend finite prosecutorial resources on?

Re: Elite Soccer’s Culture of Graft

#4

Post by charlesdm »

pitt1980 wrote: post #3

Interesting that Messi had tax problems in Spain as well. Neither of these guys are filling out their own taxes. Why did their accountants think it was a good idea to complete their taxes in a way that wound up getting them in trouble? Or why did Spain think these guys were alluring targets to spend finite prosecutorial resources on?

The problem is likely that they have no leverage. If they were a company owner employing hundreds or thousands of people, with the power to fire them all and relocate, I'm not sure they would see the same outcome.

One must remember that (cross-border) tax law is highly ambiguous. Since you can arrange your own affairs in the most tax efficient way, everyone always tries to get a beneficial outcome. If you add an international component to that, you'll quickly end up in situations where there often is no clear right or wrong answer because tax systems don't look at certain things in the same way.

Spain isn't the best place to live if you have money, in particular due to the wealth tax.

Re: Elite Soccer’s Culture of Graft

#5

Post by MordodeMaru »

pitt1980 wrote: post #3

Interesting that Messi had tax problems in Spain as well. Neither of these guys are filling out their own taxes. Why did their accountants think it was a good idea to complete their taxes in a way that wound up getting them in trouble? Or why did Spain think these guys were alluring targets to spend finite prosecutorial resources on?

Spain, or its tax agency cannot cover (or will not cover) all fraud areas. It will creat FUDs with big cases to have everyone in line from that moment on, but it is really difficult also to cover all ground.

Re: Elite Soccer’s Culture of Graft

#6

Post by pjc50 »

pitt1980 wrote: post #3

Interesting that Messi had tax problems in Spain as well. Neither of these guys are filling out their own taxes. Why did their accountants think it was a good idea to complete their taxes in a way that wound up getting them in trouble? Or why did Spain think these guys were alluring targets to spend finite prosecutorial resources on?

The answer to both questions is surely "several million dollars"?

This stuff happens a lot. Celebrities don't make money through a business front nor do they get to class it as capital gains. It's all "income", so the incentive to turn it into a cheaper tax category or hide it offshore is huge.

See also the Glasgow Rangers collapse due to tax fraud.

Re: Elite Soccer’s Culture of Graft

#7

Post by benj111 »

Off topic but

"Rui Pinto, a Portuguese national"

Now I remember doing a case study on the Ford Pinto in South America, Pinto translates into a rude word in Portugese doesn't it???

Is it like Dick (Richard) in English. Or am I missing some subtlety here.

Edit: Link for Translation http://www.youswear.com/sitemap.asp?language=Portuguese+(bra...

Re: Elite Soccer’s Culture of Graft

#8

Post by open-source-ux »

You can watch an excellent summary about Ronaldo and Messi's tax fines in this short video from Tifo Football published today:

Ronaldo & Messi's Tax Fines & Suspended Prison Sentences Explained:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP5vuflIdrQ

In fact, Tifo Football on YouTube is one of the best sources of news, information and analysis on football (soccer) - regardless of whether you like football or not. The quality is excellent:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGYYNGmyhZ_kwBF_lqqXdAQ/vid...

Re: Elite Soccer’s Culture of Graft

#9

Post by lfarroco »

benj111 wrote: post #7

Off topic but "Rui Pinto, a Portuguese national" Now I remember doing a case study on the Ford Pinto in South America, Pinto translates into a rude word in Portugese doesn't it??? Is it like Dick (Richard) in English. Or am I missing some subtlety here. Edit: Link for Translation http://www.youswear.com/sitemap.asp?language=Portuguese+(bra...

Yes, you are right! Pinto is a very common surname that can also mean "dick". When used in this context it does not call a lot of attention - but it would be unthinkable to call a product "Pinto"

Re: Elite Soccer’s Culture of Graft

#10

Post by benj111 »

lfarroco wrote: post #9
benj111 wrote: post #7

Off topic but "Rui Pinto, a Portuguese national" Now I remember doing a case study on the Ford Pinto in South America, Pinto translates into a rude word in Portugese doesn't it??? Is it like Dick (Richard) in English. Or am I missing some subtlety here. Edit: Link for Translation http://www.youswear.com/sitemap.asp?language=Portuguese+(bra...

Yes, you are right! Pinto is a very common surname that can also mean "dick". When used in this context it does not call a lot of attention - but it would be unthinkable to call a product "Pinto"

Thanks.

I wonder if the slang is a transliteration from one language to the other, or it's just coincidence.

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