Gerard Pique Reportedly Ordered to Pay Nearly £2m in Unpaid Taxes

Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique has reportedly been ordered to stump up nearly £2 million in unpaid taxes.

The story comes from Spanish publication La Vanguardia (h/t Liam Corless of the Mirror): "The claim relates to a period of time spread between 2007 and 2010—despite the fact that Pique only moved to Spain from Manchester United in 2008."

As such, Pique will reportedly fight the charges and is willing to take the case to court to prove his innocence.

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This appears to be the Spanish government's latest attempt to catch professional footballers who have allegedly evaded paying their taxes.

Real Madrid stopper Iker Casillas is among those reported to have paid money back in recent times, per AFP (via Inside Spanish Football), while the ongoing investigation into Lionel Messi and his father's alleged tax evasion has been well documented.

Messi continues to deny any wrongdoing. "We have always fulfilled all our tax obligations, following the advice of our tax consultants, who will take care of clarifying this situation," read a statement from the Argentinian in 2014.

Pique has suffered with a lack of form in recent times but remains important to Barcelona during the club's transfer ban. He is a powerful but often clumsy defender who has stuttered with complacency during the Blaugrana's transitional phase.

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The club is working through a difficult time, highlighted by questions over the exact amount paid for Neymar, Messi's tax issues and recent upheaval at board level. There is also the aforementioned transfer ban installed by FIFA due to the illegal signing of minors.

It is likely further names in Spanish football will be caught up in tax claims from the nation's Treasury. As reported by Corless, it's also worthwhile to note £470,000 worth of fraud can be punished in Spain with six years in prison.