Barcelona star Javier Mascherano is potentially heading to prison after being handed a one-year sentence Thursday on tax evasion charges.
According to Sport, the 31-year-old Argentine was also fined €815,000 after confessing to a pair of tax-related offenses.
Mascherano's lawyer, David Aineto, "has requested the automatic suspension of the one-year prison sentence and wants it to be replaced by a fine of around €21,000," per Sport.
The presiding judge is expected to rule on Aineto's offer in the coming days.
While avoiding prison isn't yet guaranteed, former Sun and Daily Mail contributor Ben Fairthorne is among those who believe the deal will be accepted:
Absolutely no way Mascherano will serve one day in prison.