Cristiano Ronaldo Accepts 2-Year Suspended Prison Sentence in Tax Case

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly accepted a two-year suspended prison sentence and will have to pay €18.8 million to the Spanish treasury to settle his tax fraud case.

According to El Mundo (h/t RT), Ronaldo accepted four fiscal offences before the Tax Agency, each of which carries a punishment of six months in prison. 

Ronaldo was accused last year of evading €14.7 million in tax, but in Spain, prison sentences of two years or less do not have to be served by those without a prior criminal record.

The news dropped just hours before Portugal's opening match of the World Cup against Spain:

Former MLS footballer Jimmy Conrad enjoyed the timing of it all:

While it's hardly ideal ahead of the crucial Group B match, it could be a weight off Ronaldo's shoulders to have the matter put behind him.

The issue has been hanging over him for a year, but it didn't stop him racking up 44 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid last season.