Breaking: Samuel Eto'o sentenced to 22 months in prison in Spain

The former FC Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for tax fraud in Spain.

The verdict was handed down on Monday, June 20.

President of the Cameroonian Federation (Fecafoot), Samuel Eto'o is accused of having hidden 3.8 million euros from the Spanish tax authorities between 2006 and 2009 when he was playing at Barça. The former captain of the Indomitable Lions was convicted along with his former representative José Maria Mesalles who was sentenced to one year in prison for the same charge.

The prosecution had initially requested four years against the Cameroonian and six months against his former agent. Samuel Eto'o will remain free, however, because prison sentences of less than two years are rarely carried out in Spain.

However, the two-time African champion and his former agent will have to pay a fine of €1.8 million and €900,000 respectively.