Former top-ranked female tennis player Arantxa Sánchez Vicario and her ex-husband have recently been convicted of fraud by a Spanish court in Barcelona for concealing assets in an attempt to evade a significant debt owed to Banque de Luxembourg.
Sánchez Vicario was sentenced to two years in prison, while her ex-husband, Josep Santacana, received a longer sentence of three years and three months. Additionally, the duo was ordered to pay a fine of 6.6 million euros ($7.1 million).
Despite the conviction, Sánchez Vicario was fortunate to have her prison term waived due to being considered a first-time offender. This leniency was granted after she reached a deal with prosecutors the year before, confessing to the charges in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Both Sánchez Vicario and Santacana vehemently denied the accusations. Sánchez Vicario placed the blame on her ex-husband, arguing that he had managed her finances and she was unaware of any attempts to conceal the family’s assets.
However, the court maintained that despite her lack of financial knowledge, Sánchez Vicario was fully aware of the actions taken with her assets and had directly benefitted from them, all while being fully conscious of the debt owed to Banque de Luxembourg.
This development is an unfortunate tarnish on Sánchez Vicario’s esteemed career as a tennis player, having clinched the French Open title in 1989, 1994, and 1998, as well as the US Open in 1994.
This report utilized information from reputable news agencies Associated Press and Reuters to provide accurate details and insights into the case.