Overview of the Smuggling Case in Spanish Football
The Andorran judge, Joan Carles Moynat, confirmed the sale of at least 38 smuggled watches valued at €1,354,650.43 to elite Spanish footballers. The accused, businessman Diego Gimenez Carbonell, who runs Best In Asociados, faces severe allegations, including importing significant quantities of luxury watches—worth over €50,000—over the past four years and selling them tax-free to prominent players like Dani Carvajal, Santi Cazorla, César Azpilicueta, and Thomas Partey, along with retired legends like David Silva.
The Mechanism Behind the Smuggling
According to the investigation summary, acquired by EL MUNDO, Gimenez Carbonell orchestrated a complex smuggling scheme. He reportedly had “individuals” acquire watches in Andorra, which he subsequently sold primarily to professional football players. The judge explained that this practice allowed buyers in Andorra to evade export declarations and avoid tax liabilities in their respective countries.
The actual mechanics involved physically smuggling watches across the border while separating them from their packaging, hence avoiding the necessary export declarations.
Financial Gains and Luxury Acquisitions
The Andorran authorities discovered that Giménez Carbonell made numerous cash deposits into his bank accounts, allegedly totaling over €220,490, which he used to acquire luxury vehicles. His clientele primarily consists of professional footballers with considerable purchasing power, which raised eyebrows around the legitimacy of the entire operation. The judge deemed his claim—that players sent others to collect the watches—as “unconvincing.”
Additionally, it was uncovered that he also sourced watches via intermediaries from jewelry stores in Spain, France, and England, and exported some to the Asian market through a Hong Kong-based entity.
Players Under Investigation
The investigation commenced last September when Giménez was apprehended while trying to enter Spain with two watches valued at €104,000. His list of high-profile clients, including Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal and former player David Silva, subsequently drew scrutiny from the Spanish Treasury. Both players reportedly negotiated separate agreements to pay compensatory amounts to settle their tax liabilities.
Among the notable transactions, Carvajal purchased a Rolex Daytona Platinum for €64,800, while Silva acquired four Patek Philippe watches for €295,000. Thomas Partey, during his time with Arsenal, notably paid €415,000 for three Patek Philippe watches. Other players, such as Juan Bernat and Giovani Lo Celso, also spent substantial amounts in the scheme.
Tax Evasion Agreements
The case also highlights various agreements made between Giménez and the footballers as they began receiving tax demand notifications. For instance, Silva arranged to pay €26,279.63 to cover tax claims regarding a €120,000 watch, which included imposed penalties and interest. Notably, the delivery was carried out by an employee of Giménez in San Sebastián, without the necessary customs declarations or VAT payments.
In conclusion, this case underscores the intersection of luxury consumption and legal obligations within the world of elite sports, raising questions about the responsibility and accountability of high-profile athletes in financial dealings.