Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez might land in hot waters after he admitted to defrauding the Spanish tax authorities of almost €1 million between 2012 and 2013.

The Chile international, who gave his statement to a Barcelona via video link from London, was due to pay €983,443 on the income he received from image rights during his stint with the Catalan outfit but avoided paying the amount with the help of a Maltese company called Numidia Trading.

Meanwhile, according to reports in Europa Press, the Chilean had paid the amount due and so he is not likely to have to face a trial which means he will avoid getting a jail sentence. However, it is very much likely that he will have to shell out a good chunk of fortune for the delay in paying the taxes. Sanchez’s representatives will now negotiate with the lawmakers for further actions in the case.

The allegations came to the fore in last November when reports came out that the 28-year old had kept the existence of Numidia Trading, of which he owns 99 per cent, under covers. He transferred funds from his image rights to Numidia to evade the taxes.

Sanchez is not the first player from Barcelona to have evaded tax. Before him, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves and Adriano were found guilty of not paying the taxes.