A Luka Modric trial is perhaps not the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about the Real Madrid and Croatia star.
Croatia will face France in the World Cup final this Sunday. However, it is not only France that worries captain Luka Modric at the moment.
Modric has led his team to an historic achievement, managing to qualify for its first-ever World Cup final.
So far, Modric has been instrumental in his team’s success. He has scored twice and has brilliantly commanded the Croatian midfield.
Real Madrid’s player has been charged with perjury after allegedly making a false statement in June 2017 concerning his transfer from Dinamo Zagreb to Tottenham back in 2008.
Modric’s case involves a potentially illegal association with Zdravko Mamic, a former executive director of Dinamo Zagreb.
Mamic was recently sentenced to six and a half years in prison for illicit handling of transfer fees during his time at the Croatian team.
But where does Luka Modric fit in in the corruption scandal?
In 2008, 22-year-old Luka Modric was transferred from Dinamo Zagreb to Tottenham for $21.8 million.
At the time, Zdravko Mamic was working in Dinamo Zagreb and it is believed an illegal handling of the Modric transfer fees took place.
As the corruption scandal involving Mamic erupted, Modric was called to speak in court as his was name featured among the potentially illegal handling of funds.
In 2015, Modric declared he had reached an agreement with Mamic back in 2004 whereby he would get half of his future transfer fees.
However, Modric was again called to declare in court last year and he then changed his statement.
This has led prosecutors to believe Modric is changing his statement in an effort to benefit Zdravko Mamic and himself.
If the Croatian star is found guilty of perjury, he could face up to five years in prison.
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