Former FIFA World Player of the Year (2006), Fabio Cannavaro, 41, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for
breaching orders to keep out of his home after it was seized by authorities.
The home of the former Real Madrid defender turned coach was seized after he was accused of tax evasion. The authorities claim he owes over €1m in unpaid taxes. They also seized goods worth about €1million as well as a €180,000 yacht belonging to Cannavaro.
He was arrested after he was caught going for a swim at his home's swimming pool with his wife and brother after breaking the lock authorities had used to lock his home. His brother and wife were also given custodial sentences. All three have appealed and will therefore have their sentences suspended until a final judgment is made.
The home of the former Real Madrid defender turned coach was seized after he was accused of tax evasion. The authorities claim he owes over €1m in unpaid taxes. They also seized goods worth about €1million as well as a €180,000 yacht belonging to Cannavaro.
He was arrested after he was caught going for a swim at his home's swimming pool with his wife and brother after breaking the lock authorities had used to lock his home. His brother and wife were also given custodial sentences. All three have appealed and will therefore have their sentences suspended until a final judgment is made.
The ex-Italy international defender's villa had been seized as part of a planning abuse investigation, but the 41-year-old breached orders to keep out of his property.
Cannavaro was slapped with a 10-month jail term, while his brother Paolo, who plays for Serie A side Sassuolo, and his wife Daniela Arenoso were also hit with custodial sentences.
However, the trio immediately appealed, which means the sentences are suspended until the court has re-visited the case.
According to an investigation led by prosecutor Luigi Cannavale in the southern Italian city of Naples, they went to the villa for a dip in the pool - ignoring the fact the property had been seized and they were banned from entering.
Prosecutors said the villa had been confiscated for suspected abuse of building regulations, failing to secure planning permission from the local council to carry out works to the house, the garden and pool.
The Cannavaro brothers and Arenoso were acquitted over the planning permission allegations, but convicted for entering a property illegally.
The former world player of the year, who enjoyed spells at Juventus and Real Madrid, has just started his managerial career leading Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande into the Asian Champions League this week.
Glittering honours as a player do not guarantee success in the dug-out and World Cup-winner Cannavaro is taking the plunge at a club where expectations are sky-high.
Canavaro Lifting the World Cup 2006 after Italy beat France on a penalty shoot-out