Portuguese authorities searched the home of Iker
Casillas, goalkeeper and captain of the 2010 FIFA
World Cup Spain team, as part of investigations
into allegations of money laundering and tax
evasion in the world of football.
Prosecutors said nearly 200 police officers
searched 76 places across the country, including
homes, soccer clubs, lawyers ‘offices and players’
agents.
In a statement on Twitter, Casillas said he was
“completely calm” regarding the investigations,
and had “full confidence” in the Portuguese judicial
system.
Casillas expressed his hope that everyone be
treated transparently.
The authorities are investigating allegations of tax
evasion in football from 2015 onwards.
Casillas led Spain to victory in the 2008 and 2012
European Championships and the 2010 World Cup
and suffered a heart attack in May, during training
with his current club Porto, and did not play since
then, but he returned to training in November.
Major Portuguese clubs, including Porto, have
confirmed that they are under investigation.
Porto said that the authorities searched the club’s
headquarters and that it would cooperate with the
investigations.
Casillas announced last month that he would run
for the presidency of the Spanish Football
Federation in the elections due later this year.
