Pique gets legal reprieve from $2.37mn fine
Ruling could have ripple effect for sports persons
Barcelona and Spanish defender Gerard Pique is a relieved man.
This is because his 2.1 million euro ($2.37 million) fine imposed in 2016 has been annulled by a Spanish court.
The Supreme Court ruled Pique could deduct the contribution he paid to social security in Britain when he was playing for Manchester United a decade ago from his Spanish income tax, according to a court document released.
“Contributions paid to Social Security in another state of the European Union, when they are mandatory for workers, must be considered as deductible for income tax,” the court ruled.
During the period in question, Britain was still in the European Union.
A spokesperson for the court was not immediately able to say whether Pique had already paid the fine.
Pique has declined to comment.
The ruling sets a precedent, a court statement said, meaning it could affect other athletes in a similar situation.
The Supreme Court also ruled in favour of Pique over the legitimacy of a company he had set up with his brother to manage his image rights.
The court ruled the company was not a shell company, but rather a legitimate business.
