Posted by By Simon Reeves, BBC Sport, Sweden on
Sweden's authorities have imposed a US$75,000 fine on Nigerian striker Peter Ijeh for evading tax.
Sweden's authorities have imposed a US$75,000 fine on Nigerian striker Peter Ijeh for evading tax.
Ijeh, now with Danish side FC Copenhagen, did not declare that he had received a $122,000 payment from former club IFK Gothenburg.
Although Gothenburg officials declared the payment as a gift, tax officer Anders Mansson said it was a wage that should have been included in Ijeh's tax returns.
The payment was made when Ijeh joined Gothenburg from Malmo FF.
"It was pay for a job and must be taxed. A salary is a salary and not a gift just because someone calls it a gift," Mansson told a Swedish newspaper.
Ijeh was at the centre of an investigation launched by tax authorities earlier this year, when tax and police officers searched his home for documents relating to his previous transfer from Malmo.
Although the player was initially cleared of wrongdoing, the tax authorities decided to reopen the case after discovering improprieties in the transfer of another player.
Gothenburg are also expected to pay over $245,000 in back taxes on Ijeh's behalf, as they are contractually obliged to pay taxes on the income the Nigerian earned while he was employed by them.
Officials of Gothenburg have not made any statement on the situation.
But Ijeh told newspaper Sports Bladet he never hid his income from the authorities.
"I did not hinder the declaration. This has always been handled by the clubs," the Nigerian said.