A judge in Andorra, Spain, has placed seven footballers, including Daniel Carvajal and David Silva, under investigation for alleged smuggling related to the purchase of luxury watches. The investigation, coordinated by magistrate Juan Carles Moynat, concerns transactions conducted through an Andorran company suspected of failing to declare taxes.
In addition to the Real Madrid defender, those under investigation also include Santi Cazorla (Oviedo), Giovani Lo Celso (Betis), Thomas Partey (Villareal), Cesar Azpilicueta (Sevilla) and Joan Bernat (Eibar).
Spanish authorities have been called in to question the players "as suspects" regarding the purchase, delivery, and transportation of the watches, according to a magistrate's order cited by Spanish media. According to the documents, the players purchased high-end models, primarily Rolex and Patek Philippe, through a network aimed at evading VAT . The main suspect is an entrepreneur, Diego GC, who has been in pre-trial detention since 2025 on charges of smuggling and money laundering.
The mechanism, described as "classic" by the judge, involved the transfer of watches between Spain and Andorra, physically separating the product and documentation, thus avoiding customs declarations. In some cases, the items were shipped without an invoice.
The disputed figures are significant: Partey allegedly spent over €400,000 on three watches, Benat approximately €367,000, and Silva nearly €300,000. Carvajal is believed to have purchased a €64,800 Rolex Daytona in 2021. The investigation remains open and aims to clarify the role of the players in the alleged smuggling network, who are currently considered secondary figures compared to the system's organizers.
(Unioneonline)
