Gerrard Quits Soccer In Peace, Eto’o Faces Jail Term In Spain
SAN FRANCISCO, November 24, (THEWILL) – Former Liverpool and England captain, Steven Gerrard, has retired, ending a 19-year playing career.
Gerrard, 36, played 710 times for the Reds, winning eight major trophies, but joined MLS side LA Galaxy in 2015.
He is England's fourth most-capped player with 114 appearances and captained the “Three Lions” at three of the six major tournaments the side featured, the BBC reports.
“I feel lucky to have experienced so many wonderful highlights over the course of my career,” Gerrard said.
“I have had an incredible career and am thankful for each and every moment of my time at Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy.
“I fulfilled my childhood dream by pulling on the famous red shirt of Liverpool.
“I am excited about the future and feel I still have a lot to offer the game, in whatever capacity that may be.”
Gerrard had been linked to a job in management with MK Dons after announcing he would leave LA Galaxy, but said the opportunity came too soon for him saying he will take time to consider his options before making an announcement on the next stage of his career.
In contrast, Former Barcelona striker, Samuel Eto'o may be facing jail term of up to 10 years for alleged tax crimes committed when he played for the Catalonia club.
Spanish prosecutors are seeking the jail term for Eto's along with fines of up to $15.1 million for a four count charge of fraud as the Cameroonian striker is accused of allegedly defrauding Spanish authorities of almost $4 million from 2006-09, according to court documents released Thursday .
Prosecutors are seeking the same punishment for the player's representative at the time, Jose Maria Mesalles Mata while the administrator of a company that facilitated the deals, Manuel de Jesus Lastre Abreu, is facing more than six years in prison and a fine of $2.3 million.
Eto'o is among other current and past Barcelona players facing legal problems in Spain in a list that includes Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Story by Oputah David