Luka Modric Testifies At Corruption Trial In ex-Dinamo Zagreb Director’s Case
Jun 14, 2017 at 12:58 PM
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric appeared in the court as an important witness in the ongoing trial against former Dinamo Zagreb director Zdravko Mamic who is accused of tax evasion and embezzlement.
Mamic is accused of embezzlement of over 15 million euros and of tax evasion on another 1.5m euros during his time with Dinamo Zagreb when he worked as an executive director between 2003 and 2016.
The 31-year old was a player from Zagreb as he played at the club from 14 years to 22 years before making a move to Premier League Tottenham Hotspur. However, the Croatian international is not a suspect in the case but his testimony is crucial to the case.
The authorities accused Mamic that he took half the money that was generated during Modric’s transfer to Tottenham in the summer of 2008.
“I believe that Dinamo received 21m or 23m euros for my transfer to Tottenham,” the midfielder told the court in Osijek, according to 24horas.
“Part of that money was paid to me too, based on an attached contract I signed with Dinamo about dividing that money on a 50-50 basis.
“I agreed that with Mr. Mamic.”
Modric, who moved to Real Madrid in 2012, has confirmed that Mamic played a massive role at the club as he did take 50 percent of the transfer fees in his transfer.
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren will also appear before the court on Wednesday as he will be wueried over his transfer from Dinamo to French club Lyon in 2010.
Mamic along with his brother Zoran and two others are accused of embezzling £10.6m (€12m) of club’s money and also of another £1.4m (€1.6m) in taxes since 2008. However, all the four accused have denied the charges.
“This trial is a farce and a disgusting show,” Mamic said after Tuesday’s hearing, adding that he was happy with Modric’s testimony.
The trial is being conducted in the eastern city of Croatia, Osijek as the authorities fear that Mamic could influence the judges in the Croatian capital of Zagreb.