Flavio Briatore sentenced to jail for tax fraud

An Italian court has imposed an 18-month prison sentence on former Renault boss Flavio Briatore.

Two years ago, Briatore was convicted over a case surrounding tax evasion relating to his luxury yacht Force Blue.

Now, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that with the prosecution pushing for a four-year jail sentence, an appeals court in Genoa has instead imposed an 18-month punishment for tax crimes.

Briatore and four others had been found guilty of using the yacht only recreationally, therefore dodging €3.6m (£3.2m) in value-added tax by issuing fake invoices.

The Italian's lawyer said: "We take note of the judge's decision and will appeal to the supreme court. We are convinced of Mr Briatore's innocence."

Force Blue was also confiscated.