Report: Jose Mourinho Reaches Suspended Jail Sentence Plea Deal for Tax Fraud

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly been given a one-year suspended jail sentence by Spanish authorities for tax fraud, although he is unlikely to serve any time in prison.

The 55-year-old reached a deal during a case which saw him accused of owing €3.3 million (£2.9 million) in undeclared image rights revenue from his time at Real Madrid, per El Mundo (h/t BBC Sport).

Mourinho has also been hit with a fine of around €2 million (£1.8 million), according to the report in the Spanish newspaper.

Spanish law states sentences under two years for a first offence of a non-violent nature can be served on probation, according to Reuters (h/t BBC Sport).

Mourinho moved to Real Madrid in May 2010 from Inter Milan, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey before leaving the club in June 2013.

The Portuguese was subsequently accused of tax fraud between 2011 and 2012 in June 2017. His advisers released a statement in response saying he had "paid more than €26 million in taxes" during his time in Spain, per BBC Sport.

The 55-year-old also attended a Spanish court in December to answer questions in relation to further accusations, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan.

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Mourinho said he was informed his "tax situation was completely legal" upon leaving the court, per the report.

The Manchester United manager is not the first high-profile figure to face tax fraud accusations. Barcelona star Lionel Messi was handed a 21-month prison sentence, which was later changed to a fine, in July 2017.

One year later, former Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was given a two-year suspended jail term after he reached a deal with Spanish prosecutors.

The news follows a tough start to the season for Mourinho at Manchester United, who have lost two of their opening four Premier League games.

The results and poor performances have led to scrutiny on Mourinho's position at Old Trafford, but he does not appear too concerned about his future:

Mourinho signed a new deal at Manchester United in January that runs until 2020. However, he will need results to improve if he is to see out his contract.