Cristiano Ronaldo will appear in a Madrid court today accused of evading €14.7m in tax.
The Portuguese star has been at the centre of the controversy throughout the summer and is due to present himself at the Pozuelo de Alarcon courtrooms at 10.30 BST.
Marca reports that the 32-year-old's alleged offences took place between 2011 and 2014, with Ronaldo set to enter a not-guilty plea.
The forward's case for the defence will be represented by lawyers from Baker & McKenzie.
The hearing will is set to take place behind closed doors, despite the Superior Court of Justice in Spain receiving over 150 applications for coverage from almost 50 media outlets in 16 countries.
Ronaldo’s legal troubles were understood to have prompted his ‘irreversible decision’ to leave Los Blancos.
However, he remains a Madrid player and the trial is not expected to hinder his return to training on August 5, three days before facing former club Manchester United in the European Super Cup.
