MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has avoided commenting on speculation that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Spain.
Speaking on Monday after his reelection as club president, Perez made no mention of Ronaldo in his first public appearance since Portuguese media reported on Friday that Ronaldo was considering leaving Spain after a public prosecutor accused him of tax fraud.
Perez read a prepared speech and did not take questions from journalists at the event.
The 70-year-old Perez, who ran unopposed, was reelected for a fifth four-year mandate at the Spanish powerhouse.
Last week, a Spanish state prosecutor accused Ronaldo of defrauding Spain’s tax office of 14.7 million euros ($16.5 million) in unpaid taxes.
Ronaldo has denied any wrongdoing, and Madrid has issued a statement saying it believed the player was innocent.
A judge will now decide whether there are grounds to take the matter to court.
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Germany gets past Australia in Confederations Cup opener
Germany’s Leon Goretzka, right, is congratulated by teammates after he scored his side’s third goal during the Confederations Cup, Group B soccer match between Australia and Germany, at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Monday, June 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
The defending World Cup champions survived a scare in their Confederations Cup opener Monday in Sochi, Russia. Germany got past Australia 3-to-2 in group play.
Leon Goretzka socred the eventual game winner in the 48th minute to open the second half for Germany. Lars Stindl and Julian Draxler also scored for the 2014 World Cup champs.
Tom Rogic and Tomi Juric each tallied for the Aussies.
All opening round matches have now been played. The next action is slated for Tuesday when host Russia battles Portugal followed by Mexico squaring off with New Zealand
(KPUG – Doug Lange)