Filippo Pozzato is under investigation for tax evasion in Italy but the Katusha rider has insisted he lives in Monaco and denies avoiding paying tax on his contract.
According to reports in the Italian press over the weekend, tax officials from Vicenza, near Pozzato’s home town of Sandrigo, suspect the 2006 Milan-San Remo winner has avoided paying tax in Italy since 2008. Italian media has reported that Pozzato could owe up to two million Euro. The classics rider is currently riding the Vuelta but denies tax evasion.
“It’s true I’ve been investigated by the Guardia di Finanza but that concerns 2008 when I was already living in Monaco. I categorically deny the amount that is contested,” Pozzato said in a statement.
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“I’m not at all worried because there’s nothing that is false. I really do live in Monaco, where everybody knows me. I’m sure I can prove that I acted in good faith.”
Mario Cipollini reportedly paid the Italian tax authorities over a million Euro after a long investigation, but then won an appeal against the sentence. Paolo Bettini claims he resolved his problems with the Italian tax office before taking up the role of Italian national coach.
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Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the Cyclingnews team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at Cyclingnews. He has previously worked for Shift Active Media, Reuters and Cycling Weekly. He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).
