FC Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano on Thursday accepted the sentence of one year in prison for defrauding the Spanish Treasury of 1.5 million euros (around 1.65 million US dollars).

The Argentinean was also given a fine of 815,000 euros for the two cases of fraud dating back to the years 2011 and 2012.

However, despite accepting the sentence, it is highly unlikely Mascherano will have to go to prison, given that in Spain first offenders given a sentence of less than two years tend not to have to spend time behind bars.

The regional prosecutor has accepted his petition to have the prison sentence suspended and changed for a further fine of 21,600 euros, although the Spanish State Prosecutor has still to accept that petition.

Mascherano is not the only Barca player to be in trouble for fraud with Leo Messi due to answer changes next week, while Neymar has also been indicted to appear in court over irregularities pertaining to his transfer to Barca three years ago.

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