Real star investigated for perjury

Real Madrid star faces jail if convicted of making false statements in corruption case in Croatia.

“Authorities in Croatia have begun an investigation into national football team captain Luka Modric,” the BBC reported on June 19.

If convicted of perjury, the 31-year-old midfielder faces between six months and five years in prison.

The Real Madrid midfielder is suspected of making false statements in a tax fraud case involving former Dinamo Zagreb officials. A Croatian court is currently trying former Zagreb president Zdravko Mamic, his brother, former coach Zoran Mamic, former director Damir Vrbanovic and a tax inspector. The four are accused of embezzling more than $16 million from Zagreb and nearly $1.7 million from the state. They are accused of embezzling cash through fraudulent transactions, cutting corners on player sales.

Modric during his trial to testify about corruption at Dinamo Zagreb. Photo: AFP.

Modric recently appeared in court as a witness in connection with his multi-million dollar transfer from Zagreb to Tottenham in 2008.

The midfielder was asked to declare when he signed an addendum to his contract with Zagreb regarding the terms of a future transfer fee.

Modric falsely claimed in court on June 13 that he had signed an addendum in July 2004, entitling him to half of the transfer fee to Tottenham. Prosecutors said the addendum was actually signed in 2008, after the midfielder had left the Zagreb club.

The prosecutor also said that Modric himself told investigators in 2015 that the annex was signed at the time he was sold to Tottenham. The prosecutor's office believes Modric deliberately changed his testimony to benefit his former coach.

After leaving Tottenham, Modric moved to Real in 2012 and quickly became a mainstay of the Madrid team. The 31-year-old midfielder has won three Champions Leagues and one La Liga title with Real.

According to VNE