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LONDON. — Alexis Sanchez could face a suspended prison sentence and a heavy fine after being accused of tax fraud by Spanish authorities. According to El Periodico, a newspaper based in Catalonia, Sanchez did not pay income tax on earnings of nearly £900 000 during his time at Barcelona in 2012 and 2013.

Miguel Angel Perez de Gregorio, who is the prosecutor in the case, has accused Sanchez of using Numidia Trading, a company based in Malta which the Chilean owns a 99 percent stake in, to receive payments for his image rights.

The Arsenal forward allegedly failed to declare any income from the image rights which totalled £531 325 in 2012 and £357 816 in 2013.

The prosecution argues that Numidia Trading is a “purely instrumental entity to facilitate the fraud committed to the Spanish Treasury”.

Sanchez is the fifth player associated with Barcelona to be investigated by the Spanish authorities over tax fraud after Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Samuel Eto’o and Adriano. — Metro.