Luka Modric, the esteemed midfielder of Real Madrid and recipient of the 2018 Golden Ball, finds himself once again entangled in a scandal, facing the grim possibility of a 5-year prison term. The Office of the Public Prosecutor in Zagreb, Croatia, has recently charged Modric with perjury, marking a troubling turn of events for the former captain of the Croatian national team.
The recent indictment by the Zagreb City Prosecutor’s Office has brought to light the allegations of perjury against Luka Modric. Interestingly, the Croatian midfielder has faced similar accusations in the past. In 2018, the Zagreb court held a trial involving three high-ranking officials of Dinamo Zagreb, who were accused of tax evasion and embezzlement in relation to the transfer deals that brought Modric to Tottenham in 2008 and Dejan Lovren to Lyon in 2010.
During the trial, Modric was summoned as a witness, directly linked to the transfer deal with Tottenham. He was required to provide truthful testimony regarding the timing of signing the contract appendix with Zagreb and the clauses concerning future transfer fees. Modric admitted to having a contract appendix in 2004, entitling him to a portion of the transfer fee to Tottenham. However, prosecutors argued that his declaration was false, as the appendix was actually signed in 2008, after the midfielder had left Dinamo Zagreb. In December 2018, the court ruled in favor of Modric, dismissing all charges due to insufficient evidence.
However, Modric now finds himself facing perjury charges once again. Prosecutors claim to have gathered sufficient evidence to convict the midfielder. It remains uncertain whether Modric will be summoned to court again. If found guilty of perjury, Modric could face a prison sentence ranging from 6 months to 5 years.
The potential 5-year prison sentence hanging over Luka Modric’s head casts a shadow of uncertainty on his career and the prestigious 2018 Golden Ball title he earned. Football fans worldwide anxiously await further developments as the legal proceedings unfold, uncertain of the impact this controversy will have on the esteemed midfielder’s reputation and future in the sport.
