Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1073679
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 23 JANUARY 2019 21 SPORTS FOOTBALL CHELSEA midfielder Eden Hazard says he "frustrates" all his managers because they think he needs to "do more" - but hints he will never change his ways. Belgium's Hazard has scored 79 league goals under four permanent managers since his 2012 move to Stamford Bridge - Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, Antonio Conte and current boss Maurizio Sarri. But the 28-year has frequently come under fire for his laid-back approach. "I didn't just frustrate Conte," Hazard told France Foot- ball. "In my career, I've frustrated all my coaches. And with Sarri, once again, I frustrate him. I frustrated Mourinho. "They think that I need to mark more, do more of this and more of that. And the next coach that I have, I'll frus- trate him as well." The subject of frequent transfer speculation, Hazard - who has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season - has been linked with a move to Real Madrid this month. Admitting he wanted to leave the Blues after last sum- mer's World Cup, Hazard has always planned to play else- where but says he isn't going anywhere just yet. "I have won everything in England, apart from the Com- munity Shield, but that doesn't mean that I'm leaving," he said. "I have always said that I wanted to explore something different after England. But there are also things that might make me stay. "After the World Cup, I wanted to leave, but in the end I stayed at Chelsea and I'm playing one of best seasons so far. "So I don't think that I need a different challenge. But that doesn't mean that I will become better." Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard says he "frustrates" all his managers Eden Hazard has scored 12 goals in all competitions for Chelsea this season CRISTIANO Ronaldo has accepted a £17million fine and a suspended two-year jail sentence following alle- gations of tax evasion in Spain. The former Real Madrid forward, 33, appeared in court in the Spanish capital yesterday morning. The Portugal international had al- ready agreed a deal to pay the fine af- ter pleading guilty last year to charges brought by Spanish state prosecutors and tax authorities. He appeared relaxed as he arrived at court with his Spanish fiancee Geor- gina Rodriguez, smiling and signing an autograph on his way in. Judges had refused his request to appear by video or to enter court via a back entrance. Ronaldo - who currently plays for Italian side Juventus - spent around 45 minutes in the court building but his hearing lasted only a few minutes. After formally accepting the deal offered by prosecutors, he signed the agreement to pay the fine of nearly €19million (£16.7million). The charges stem from his nine years at Real, which he left last summer. Prosecutors accused him of four counts of tax fraud from 2011-14 worth €14.7million (£12.9million) and using shell companies outside Spain to hide around €28.4million (£25million) made from image rights. The prosecutor also alleged he falsely reported income as coming from real estate, which it said had greatly reduced his tax rate. Last year, Celebrity Net Worth estimat- ed Ronaldo was worth around $450mil- lion (£354million), with an annual salary of about $57million (£44million). According to Forbes he earned $93million (£72million) in 2017, making him the world's third high- est-paid athlete behind boxer Floyd Mayweather and long-time football rival Lionel Messi. A custodial sentence would have effectively ended his career, but that was not considered likely as, in Spain, a judge can suspend sentences for two years or less for first-time of- fenders. He will not serve any jail time unless he commits a further offence. Ronaldo is one of the most success- ful footballers of the 21st century, having won five league titles with Manchester United and Real, five Champions League titles, and five Ballon d'Ors, awarded to the best player in the calendar year. He has also played more than 100 times for Portugal and was part of the squad that won Euro 2016. Former Real teammate Xabi Alonso was also in court in Madrid yesterday accused of defrauding tax authorities of about €2million from 2010-12. He denies any wrongdoing. Cristiano Ronaldo accepts £17m fine and two-year suspended jail term for tax evasion Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Juventus last summer