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Hernan Crespo: Former Chelsea star investigated for alleged tax evasion

Italian police are said to be looking at the Modena manager

Tom Sheen
Wednesday 27 January 2016 15:22 GMT
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Former Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo has denied any wrongdoing after being investigated by Italian police for alleged tax evasion and false accounting.

The former Argentina striker, who won the Premier League with the Blues in 2005-06, had searches carried out by tax authorities on Tuesday morning.

The headquarters of one of Crespo's former clubs, AC Milan, were also raided in connection with the probe named Fuorigioco (offside), which is looking at fradulent behaviour in transfer deals.

Crespo, currently manager of Serie B side Modena, dismissed the allegations in a post on Facebook.

"Dear friends, in my career I have always been used to attacking and I will continue to do so," he wrote (in a statememnt translated from Italian).

"I don't need to defend myself: I AM TOTALLY UNCONNECTED to what happened today, related to the investigation by the prosecutor.

"I am certain that there will be a total DISMISSAL [of the case]. Thanks for all the many messages of respect and faith."

AC Milan also moved to issue a denial.

"Today, the public prosecutor of Naples decided to give Adriano Galliani a termination notice relating to the investigation for a series of events that are absolutely marginal and not founded and which will come to a resolution, in terms of both tax and criminal law, with a due dismissal," read a statement on the club's official website.

Sixty-four individuals are being investigated, including individuals from other clubs such as Napoli, Juventus, Genoa and others.

Crespo spent two seasons at Chelsea, scoring 25 goals in 73 appearances.

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