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Estonian footie star done for Norway tax cheat

The Local Norway
The Local Norway - [email protected]
Estonian footie star done for Norway tax cheat
Raio Piiroja (right) complains about a decision when playing for Fredrikstad in 2009. Photo: Tor Erik Schroder/Scanpix

The captain of the Estonian national football team on Friday got an eight-month suspended sentence in Norway for failing to pay nearly €100,000 ($135,000) in taxes.

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Thirty-four-year-old Raio Piiroja, who is no longer a resident of Norway, pleaded guilty to the charges.
   
According to the prosecution, Piiroja hid wages earned while playing for the Norwegian football club Fredrikstad between 2004 and 2011 by paying the money to an Estonian company.
   
"If the law is violated, one must accept his punishment. Now, I accept my punishment and I am ready to close this chapter," said the central defender, cited by the Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
   
The prosecution had demanded a 10-month suspended sentence, while the defence called for a more lenient suspended sentence of between six and eight months.
   
All money owed to the Norwegian tax authorities has been fully repaid, according to the defence.

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