Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez accused of tax fraud in Barcelona

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has been accused of defrauding Spanish tax authorities for allegedly concealing part of what he earned from image rights during his time as a Barcelona player.

According to El Periodico, prosecutors in Barcelona have alleged that the 27-year-old failed to pay tax on €983,443 (£889,169) between 2012 and 2013.

The Catalan newspaper adds that Sanchez is accused of having sought to conceal earnings from his image rights by using companies set up in Chile and in Malta.

A statement published by Sanchez's agent said: "Alexis Sanchez has fully obeyed the laws imposed by the countries where he has resided.

"He has paid taxes to all the local tax and revenue organisations. Furthermore, all of his personal and image rights income has been declared to all of those national tax and revenue agencies."

Sanchez joined the Gunners in the summer of 2014 after three seasons at Camp Nou.