The Vic Open is the only tournament in the world with male and female fields teeing off, in alternate groups, on the same course and for equal prize money.

It has been running as a dual male-female event for six years.

But the tournament took on added significance this year with the European Tour and the US-based LPGA Tour jointly sanctioning it for the first time, with prize money significantly boosted.

Played at the 13th Beach Golf Links south of Melbourne, local hope Ned Flanagan, a former US amateur champion, shot a 10-under-par 62 — one shy of the course record — for a two shot lead among the men.

“Just had one of those days where everything seemed to kind of go right,” said Flanagan.

On the women’s side, England’s Felicity Johnson hit a 65, two in front of a group including Australia’s Su Oh, who nailed a spectacular hole-in-one at the 149 metre 15th hole.

“There was this one guy near the green who said it just trickled in. So I had one guy see it, which was good enough,” she said.

Reigning British Open champion Georgia Hall hit a 70, while world number seven Minjee Lee could only muster 72.

The day was marked by Australia’s James Nitties carding a world record-equalling nine birdies in a row.

It matched the feat first accomplished by Mark Calcavecchia at the 2009 Canadian Open on the US PGA Tour and was the first time it had officially been achieved on the European Tour.

“I’m pumped,” said Nitties, the world number 668 who was two shots behind leader Flanagan. “I don’t hold any other world records that I know of, so to be a part of one is pretty cool.”

Australian Geoff Ogilvy, who won the 2006 US Open and three World Golf Championships, hit a 66 in his opening round and said the format was a win-win.

“People are noticing because of the equal prize money and the LPGA and the guys and girls’ thing. That’s a big deal,” he said.

Fellow Australian Karrie Webb, who has 41 wins on the LPGATour and carded a 73, is also a supporter of the progressive concept.

“I think all of us here in Australia have known how great this event is since its conception of equal prize money for men and women,” she said.

“And the way it’s done, too, because a lot of people think, ‘Oh, the women will be on one course, the men will be on the other’.

“The way it’s alternating groups of men and women, I think it’s great for the golf fan that comes to watch because they can watch the best of both men and women and sit on one hole and watch that all day.”

The win — in the hostile capital of the United Arab Emirates, one of its opponents in a bitter regional dispute — is expected to lead to further animosity between Qatar and the Saudi-led bloc of rival nations.

And even just days after Qatar beat Japan 3-1 in the final, it may have already deepened the Gulf diplomatic impasse.

“Any sense of embitterment in Abu Dhabi at the way the tournament they hosted turned out may translate into an escalation of rhetoric against Qatar,” said Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a research fellow at Rice University.

He added: “The response to Qatar’s run in the Asian Cup has, if anything, deepened the split within the Gulf.

“Omanis and Kuwaitis have rejoiced in Qatari success and have done so in extremely public fashion, visibly emphasising their rejection of the blockading states’ attempt to isolate Qatar in the region.”

– Football and geopolitics –

Qatar’s first ever Asian Cup win is an astonishing story on numerous levels — a modern-day sporting parable, soaked in geopolitics and symbolism.

It is a powerful Qatari riposte to critics who long ridiculed the 2022 World Cup host for its lack of footballing prowess.

The team beat three sides who appeared in the Russia World Cup, scored 19 goals, conceded just one and provided the tournament’s best goalkeeper, player and highest goalscorer.

It is a vindication of the wealthy Gulf state’s huge spending to develop talent at its Aspire Academy — 13 of the 23-man squad were graduates, including top scorer Ali Almoez.

But it is far more than just sport.

Since June 2017, Saudi-led countries have cut ties with Doha, claiming it supports terrorism and wants a better relationship with Riyadh’s arch-rival, Tehran.

Qatar denies the charges, says it is being punished for pursuing an independent foreign policy and its enemies want regime change in Doha.

As a result, few, if any, Qataris travelled to the UAE to watch matches, claiming they were fearful about what would happen to them.

Practically their only supporters were a group of Omanis, subsequently leading Qataris to celebrate with Omani flags in Doha.

Notably, Qatar beat Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the latter victory seeing their players pelted with shoes and bottles by a partisan crowd.

The 4-0 victory over the UAE was, according to some, better than the cup win.

Many Qataris celebrated by holding up four fingers — one for each of the neighbouring boycotting countries, said Ulrichsen.

That gesture also matched the one used by Qatar-backed Muslim Brotherhood supporters following the overthrow of Mohamed Morsi in Egypt in 2013.

Qatar’s victorious team were greeted by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani when they arrived back home.

He then made his first trip abroad since the victory, notably to regional peace-broker Kuwait, where he presented Emir Sabah al-Sabah with a maroon Qatar football shirt.

And there is yet more symbolism, argues James M. Dorsey, author and a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

“The victory emphasises to Qatar that it can stand on its own, whatever the obstacles,” he said.

Salford University professor Simon Chadwick said Qatar’s win also helped polish its tarnished international standing.

“Qatar’s image and reputation has gained advantage over its rivals, especially given the apparent calmness on Qatar’s team when faced with sometimes rancorous rivals,” said Chadwick.

– ‘Very naive’ –

The “escalation” Ulrichsen spoke about is likely to focus on the 2022 World Cup, said Dorsey.

“I think what you are going to see is Qatar’s victory is going to escalate opposition by primarily the UAE and Saudi Arabia to Qatar hosting the World Cup,” he added.

Next month, FIFA will rule on whether the 2022 World Cup will include 32 or 48 teams, and whether Qatar should share games, potentially with neighbouring rivals.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s insistence that an expanded World Cup could help ease regional tensions is “very naive”, Dorsey insisted.

He pointed to a previous Asian Cup victory — Iraq in 2007 — where people celebrated during a period of sectarian violence, but trouble soon flared again.

“Sports and politics are inextricably enshrined,” he added.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – The PGA TOUR announced today that three-time GRAMMY Award winner Darius Rucker will become the organization’s first formal brand ambassador. The announcement was made during Rucker’s media appearance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, California where he is competing this week as part of the celebrity field.

Rucker, who plays golf almost as often as he plays the guitar, will not only expand his resumé to take on a larger role across PGA TOUR-owned channels, but fans of the Hootie & the Blowfish front man will also notice a PGA TOUR presence on stage throughout this summer’s Group Therapy Tour.

The partnership is reflective of the continued efforts of the PGA TOUR and its “Live Under Par” brand campaign to show how the game of golf can reach beyond what you see inside the ropes at a tournament.

Fans can expect to see Rucker appearing more frequently as a commentator on PGA TOUR LIVE, across PGA TOUR digital channels and in-person at PGA TOUR events. In addition, the PGA TOUR will be sharing the stage with Rucker on his newly announced Hootie & The Blowfish Group Therapy Tour via a custom branded vintage t-shirt and hat line launching in conjunction with the partnership. Designs of the new line are reflective of Rucker’s relaxed style, combined with the energetic PGA TOUR “Live Under Par” campaign. The limited-edition t-shirt and hat line will be available for purchase onsite at Rucker’s concert events, as well as via www.PGATOUR.com.

“I am so proud to be a part of the PGA TOUR,” said Rucker. “Proud they want me to be out there representing them in a different way. I’ve been friends with so many guys on TOUR and have done some really cool things with them over the years. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Rucker’s passion for the game of golf is no secret. Over the last few years alone, Rucker has launched a golf-focused show on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (Ch. 92) and will celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the Darius & Friends Concert and Charity Golf Tournament in 2019, as well as the 25^th anniversary of Hootie & the Blowfish’s annual Monday After the Masters (MAM) event. He has competed in numerous PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions pro-am events alongside professionals including Davis Love III and Steve Stricker. Rucker performed at Military Appreciation Day to kick off THE PLAYERS Championship in 2011 and has been a strong presence at several Presidents Cup events, working closely with the U.S. Team and captains (he sang the National Anthem at the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National). Rucker also partnered with the TOUR to release a song in 2011 written specifically to support the PGA TOUR’s charitable efforts, entitled Together, Anything’s Possible.

“Darius has become synonymous with the game of golf, and we’re excited that his longtime friendship with the PGA TOUR will now inspire even more fans to Live Under Par,” said Tom Kuhn, Vice President Marketing of the PGA TOUR. “Welcoming Darius as a brand ambassador allows us to embrace Rucker’s passion for golf and interact with his incredibly passionate audience, and the PGA TOUR looks forward to helping grow golf and reach new fans through this partnership.”

It was a far from inspired performance from City at Goodison Park, but goals from Aymeric Laporte and Gabriel Jesus ensured they knocked Liverpool out of pole position on goal difference.

Liverpool had occupied first place since December 8, but now the pressure is on Jurgen Klopp’s side just five weeks after they could have moved 10 points clear of City.

With Liverpool showing signs of nerves after two successive draws damaged their bid for a first English title since 1990, City took advantage in a fixture which was brought forward due to their League Cup final date with Chelsea later this month.

It was a crucial victory and City manager Guardiola claimed his players have no intention of letting Liverpool off the hook now.

“We come from champions and we are in a situation where we could have given up but it didn’t happen,” Guardiola said.

“We gave an incredible game against Liverpool. These players have shown incredible desire and performances for the last two years. How could I question them?

“We have played one more game. but it’s the best we can do. The reality is one month ago we could have been 10 points behind when we played Liverpool.

“A few days ago we could have been seven points behind. Now we are top of the league. That is the best advice, the lesson is – never give up.

“That is a lesson for all athletes. Try to win the games, because life can change immediately.”

City struck at the best possible time when Laporte headed them in front in the second minute of first half stoppage-time.

The opening goal came from a free-kick, needlessly conceded by Idrissa Gueye as he slid in late on Fernandinho, and taken by David Silva.

The Spanish midfielder curled in a perfect delivery which found Laporte unmarked, and only eight yards from goal, for a solid finish.

It was the 16th consecutive league and cup game in which Guardiola’s side has scored a first half goal, a run dating back to their first league defeat of the season at Chelsea in early December.

And in the context of the title race, it may yet prove to be one of the more important although it took until deep into stoppage-time of the second half for City to claim their second.

– Title intrigue –

Kevin De Bruyne played in Jesus, whose initial run was blocked by Jordan Pickford, only for the ball to sit up kindly for the Brazilian to head into an open goal.

That was enough to stretch City’s goal advantage to seven over Liverpool and set up an intriguing weekend, when Klopp’s team must face Bournemouth 24 hours before the leaders host Chelsea on Sunday.

“We have started the week well, (beating) Arsenal and here, now comes a big, big test, a big goal,” Guardiola said.

“Chelsea are an exceptional team who have had seven days to prepare. We have to prepare well.

“It really is a final for us this weekend. If we are able to take these points, it is a huge step forward.”

Having survived a test of their nerve at Everton, City have no time to rest on their laurels.

But Guardiola insisted he won’t complain about the hectic schedule.

“I used to listen to what older managers – Sir Alex Ferguson, Rafa Benitez – what they said and complained about the schedules and nothing happened,” he said.

“I arrived here so I understand the situation. If we played just one competition, the schedule would be better but when you have to play four you have to adapt.

“So when the Premier League say we have to play there, we take the bus to play at the right time and, at the right moment, we play the game.”

Despite still suffering the effects of surgery on his left shoulder during the winter break, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) has topped the timesheets on Day 1 at the Sepang Test with a 1:59.621, 0.259 faster than Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in second and 0.316 quicker than third place Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) as 2019 revs back into life. Marquez completed 29 laps on Day 1 before stopping in the early afternoon to give his left shoulder a rest ahead of the next two days, with the reigning World Champion heading for more physio in the afternoon. Teammate Jorge Lorenzo sits out the test due to injury, but there were three Hondas in the top ten as Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), fastest in Jerez, took seventh and Stefan Bradl (Honda Test Team) ended Day 1 in P9, just under six tenths off Marquez.

LCR Honda Castrol rider Cal Crutchlow, meanwhile, returned from his ankle injury sustained at Phillip Island with a solid 51 laps on Wednesday, ending his first time back on a bike in P14 with a 2:00.681.

Alex Rins was one of the big headlines of the day, able to put in a substantial 61 laps on board his 2019 GSX-RR and was fastest for some time until deposed by Marquez. He remained second after his earlier fast lap, however, and was the lead Hamamatsu machine by quite a stretch. Rookie teammate Joan Mir ended the day in P23, just behind veteran French test rider Sylvain Guintoli.

There were positive signs from Yamaha on the timesheets. Maverick Viñales ended the day in P3 after 63 laps with a best of 1:59.937, with teammate Valentino Rossi in P6 after 56 laps and just over a tenth off Viñales. The Iwata marque are focusing on final decisions for their 2019 engine, the electronics and some chassis elements – and say comparing their times to competitors’ is a key point of interest after an intense winter of work.

New team on the block Petronas Yamaha SRT, meanwhile, had Franco Morbidelli just outside the top ten in P12 after 60 laps – only eight tenths off the top – with rookie teammate Fabio Quartararo a further half a second in arrears in P18 on tight timesheets.

Just behind Viñales, meanwhile, was the first of the Borgo Panigale machines – but it was Reale Avintia Racing’s Tito Rabat who took that honour. Less than half a tenth off Viñales and the last man under the two-minute barrier, the Spaniard impressed on his first day back on a MotoGP™ machine at fuller strength, having missed much of the latter part of last season following his crash at Silverstone. Just behind him came the first of the Mission Winnow Ducati machines in the form of new arrival Danilo Petrucci, with the Italian just 0.003 ahead of Rossi after 54 laps. 2017 and 2018 runner up Andrea Dovizioso, meanwhile, ended Day 1 of 2019 in P8 with a 2:00.197.

Jack Miller wasn’t far off the second factory machine despite a small crash either, with the Aussie taking P11 – three tenths off ‘DesmoDovi’ and lead Alma Pramac Racing machine. Rookie teammate Francesco Bagnaia – reigning Moto2™ Champion – made for close company too, impressing in P15 as the fastest debutant.

Completing the top ten was an impressive day’s work for Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who put in a fitting 44 laps with a best of 2:00.313 despite a crash at the end. The Spaniard took the honours of lead Austrian machine by sixth tenths, although the second KTM on the timesheets was an equally stunning performance: rookie Miguel Oliveira of Red Bull KTM Tech 3, despite a brief technical issue. The Portuguese rider finished the day in P16 and only just off fastest newcomer Bagnaia, making a big impression on Day 1 after more difficult tests at Valencia and Jerez. Experienced test rider Mika Kallio was in P19, just ahead of Espargaro’s new teammate Johann Zarco as the Frenchman continued his adaptation in P20.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was the fastest Noale machine in P13 and said the 2019 bike is a definite improvement, with the Spaniard putting in 55 laps to end the first day of the season just ahead of Crutchlow. New teammate Andrea Iannone was down in P21 and suffered a crash, ending the day 1.6 seconds off Marquez as he continues to get used to his new machinery.

That’s it from Day 1 and somehow, it’s still that familiar number 93 at the top of the timesheets despite the reigning Champion’s surgery and tough off season. Is it a one-off? Or will he repeat it tomorrow and manage to come out swinging at full strength in Qatar, too? Find out on Day 2 in Malaysian with bikes on track from 10:00am local time (GMT +8) until 18:00, with updates throughout the day and comprehensive analysis on motogp.com.

She plans to play eight to 10 LPGA Tour events in 2019, kicking off her season at this week’s ISPS Handa Vic Open and moving into next week’s ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.

“I feel fortunate that my career’s been so good to me that I can choose to wind my career down slowly,” said Webb, who last teed it up in August 2018 at the AIG Women’s British Open, where she missed the cut. “A lot of athletes are forced out because either they’re going to be cut from the team or their bodies are not allowing them to play their sport anymore or they’re a step slower or whatever. You know, I get to choose on my own terms when I’m done. Honestly, to stop cold turkey I think would be a huge life adjustment rather than doing it the way I’m doing it.”

Since joining the LPGA Tour in 1996, Webb has blazed an ever-widening trail for Australian women’s golf. Her 41 victories and more than $20 million in earnings don’t fully tell the story of the inspiration the World Golf Hall of Fame member has brought to the women’s game in her home country. From her work getting golf into the Olympics to her Karrie Webb Scholarship program to her burgeoning work as a golf course architect, she has truly defined the concept of leaving the game better than she found it, always driving ahead for more.

“She really cares about the LPGA and women’s golf and wants to make them better,” said Katherine Kirk, a fellow Aussie who served on the LPGA Board of Directors with Webb in 2014. “She’s known longer than anyone the differences between men’s and women’s golf and she wanted to close that gap. She’s been instrumental in that.”

That hard work is paying dividends this week at 13th Beach Golf Links. In an event that is a leader in sports equality, Webb’s vision for the future of the game sits in front of her.

“All of us here in Australia have known how great this event is since its conception of equal prize money for men and women,” said Webb. “And the way it’s done, too, because a lot of people think, ‘Oh, the women will be on one course, the men will be on the other.’ The way it’s alternating groups of men and women, I think it’s great for the golf fan that comes to watch because they can watch the best of both men and women and sit on one hole and watch that all day.”

PLAYERS ENJOY WEEK’S UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE

It’s not every week that golf fans see men and women warming up next to each other on the range. And they almost never see a group of women tee off, followed immediately by a group of men. That’s all on the schedule at this week’s ISPS Handa Vic Open, and the players are enjoying every second of it.

“The Vic Open is a relevant tournament in the world this week,” said Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 U.S. Open champion who lives in nearby Melbourne. “People are noticing because of the equal prize money and the LPGA and the guys’ thing. That’s a big deal.”

“That’s the great thing about golf – you can play anywhere with somebody. We’ve done it with the USGA when we had the back-to-back U.S. Opens,” added 2010 U.S. Women’s Open Paula Creamer. “You can do it. You can host an event that we both are at. The boy/girl/boy/girl tee times, that’s so cool. I’m going to be watching behind me, I’m going to be watching in front of me.

IN HER OWN WORDS – CHRISTINA KIM ON THE ISPS HANDA VIC OPEN

“I’m entering my 17th year on the Tour and obviously every single day still feels like an absolute thrill, anytime you get to say that you play golf for a living and do what you love and love what you do. This just takes it truly to another level. I met Geoff Ogilvy, I met Nicolas Colsaerts, I still haven’t had the stones to go up and say hi to Nick Flanagan, even though I’ve known of him for years and years, been following his career.

It’s such a unique event and you have so many incredible golfers that are out here. It’s a Tour stop, but it means so much more. The fact that you have men and women playing for the same purse, you have some of the best golfers in the world coming out here and being able to play with each other. I had a practice round with Jordan Mullaney. He hits the ball so far. It’s just a different sound. I can go on and on and on and on and on. This might be one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. No joke, up there in a different sense, like a Solheim Cup.”

FAYE WHEATLEY NAMED AWARD RECIPIENT FOR LPGA’S AXA XL LPGA VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

The AXA XL LPGA Volunteer Service Award is a program launched in 2018 to recognize exemplary volunteers at each LPGA tournament. Faye Wheatley, who has managed the ISPS Handa Vic Open’s private housing program for the last six years, is this week’s award recipient. She has also served as a walking scorer and has caddied for Australian players Nikki Garrett and Dylan Perry. Wheatley even cared for Garrett’s son one year so she could compete without worrying about his welfare.

Sepang International Circuit remains the host, and the whole class of 2019 is now ready to rumble and head out on track for three days of Official Test.

So who’s that? There are a few key changes in 2019. Perhaps the biggest is one that won’t be out on track in Malaysia, however, as Jorge Lorenzo sits out the test due to injury. That leaves Repsol Honda teammate and reigning Champion Marc Marquez the only rider in orange, and he’ll be an interesting one to watch as he himself also continues his recovery from injury – although he has, at least, been out on a mini bike. After a winter away, how will the Champion feel back on a bike? Marquez will undoubtedly be the focus of many a Sepang spotlight.

That’s an even bigger question for Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), as the Brit has been off a motorcycle since his crash during the Australian Grand Prix weekend. Breaking his ankle badly and taking some serious time to recover, the three-time Grand Prix winner has had a long winter – but he’ll be back out now, working for his own season and Honda. Stefan Bradl (Honda Test Team) will be another out there working for the Japanese factory, and one more Honda will be in action: Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). The Japanese rider topped the Jerez Test and will want to translate that pace into some impressive laptimes around Sepang, too.

The newly-named Mission Winnow Ducati squad will be an interesting duo. Andrea Dovizioso has become a mainstay of the podium, the top step and the top echelons of the Championship, and it was a Ducati who did the fastest lap at the test last season – although not his. Now it’s a different benchmark sharing the red garage, with Danilo Petrucci moving up to the factory team and the Borgo Panigale duo eager to keep showing the incredible form that has characterized the last two seasons. How will Petrucci settle in?

Alma Pramac Racing’s two Ducati machines will be out on track as well, with Jack Miller now the experienced rider in the squad and aiming for another step forward this year. That’s as Francesco Bagnaia joins him in the team, and the hotly-tipped rookie and reigning Moto2™ Champion will be one to watch. Reale Avintia Racing’s Tito Rabat will be back at fuller strength after his injury last season, and Karel Abraham moves to the team to join the Spaniard – on a GP18, moving two iterations forward in one leap.

Meanwhile at Yamaha, the test will be crucial. After problems throughout much of last season and some key issues identified, the Iwata marque have been all hands on deck over winter and the Sepang Test will give some indications as to the progress made. A veritable armada of Yamaha riders will be on track, too – Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and teammate Maverick Viñales top the bill, but there’s also test riders Jonas Folger, Katsuyuki Nakasuga and Kohta Nozane expected to take part.

In addition, Petronas Yamaha SRT join the fold. The new team have Yamaha machinery and the tantalising line up of Franco Morbidelli and rookie Fabio Quartararo, with a lot of interest focused on both men. The new team and the test rider count also means the Iwata marque outnumber any other manufacturer at the first test of the season.

Team Suzuki Ecstar field Alex Rins, another man aiming for a consistent challenge at the front this season, and another hotly-tipped rookie in Joan Mir. They also have a test rider present in the form of Sylvain Guintoli, with both the veteran Frenchman and Rins, now a sophomore, adding some continuity to the Hamamatsu factory’s programme as Mir settles into life in the premier class. Suzuki no longer have concessions, however, after an impressive season last year…could that play a role in their 2019? After some more difficult directional decisions for 2017, the factory want to make sure they have another stellar campaign.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing arrive with big designs on the season ahead, too. After a final round that saw incredible success for the Austrian factory in all three classes, and injury struggles largely behind them, there’s a lot of expectation around the newest factory on the block. For one, Johann Zarco is a man in the spotlight, as is new teammate Pol Espargaro after taking their first ever podium in Valencia. Test rider Mika Kallio is back from injury, the only bad news for KTM is the continuing recovery of new signing Dani Pedrosa. But they also have two more machines out on track – Hafizh Syahrin and Miguel Oliveira of Red Bull KTM Tech 3, a sophomore and a rookie but two riders who are both new to the machine.

Finally, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini have some exciting additions for 2019. Andrea Iannone joins the Noale factory alongside Aleix Espargaro, and the Italian squad now have test rider Bradley Smith’s experience to call on as they continue developing the RS-GP. All three will be on track at Sepang, and they’ll be aiming to gather important information to help guide their season after some struggles in 2018.

Join motogp.com on February 6th, 7th and 8th for reports, reactions, interviews and highlights during and after each day, with the riders on track between 10:00 – 18:00 local time (GMT +8). In addition, starting at 17:30 local time, live After the Flag episodes at the end of each day provide in-depth analysis as well as live reactions from the riders. It’s our first look at the season, so don’t miss it!

The 56-year-old is accused of committing tax fraud in 2011 and 2012 when he coached Spanish giants Real Madrid.

According to the agreement seen by AFP, Mourinho accepted a one-year jail sentence immediately commuted to a fine of 182,500 euros.

The Portuguese coach will also have to pay an additional penalty of 1.98 million euros ($2.3 million).

Mourinho already paid 1.14 million euros in 2015 as an administrative penalty and the deal stipulates that prosecutors won’t oppose that this amount be deduced from the overall fine.

The agreement still has to be validated by a judge.

– Image rights –

Mourinho, sacked by Manchester United in December following a string of disappointing performances, is the latest high-profile football figure to be judged over his tax affairs in Spain.

Spanish prosecutors accuse Mourinho, who coached Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, of failing to declare income of 1.6 million euros in 2011 and 1.7 million euros in 2012.

The grounds for the case, as with a series of others involving football stars based in Spain, is how income from Mourinho’s image rights was managed and declared.

Prosecutors believe by ceding his image rights to a series of companies based in tax havens, Mourinho committed fraud by not declaring the income those companies made from the rights.

Cristiano Ronaldo, now of Juventus, was also found guilty of tax fraud when at Real Madrid.

He was accused of having avoided paying millions in taxes due on his image rights between 2011 and 2014.

He too avoided jail but was ordered by a Spanish court last month to pay more than 3.5 million euros, part of a broader 18.8-million-euro payout agreed between his lawyers and Spain’s taxman.

Ronaldo received a two-year jail sentence immediately commuted to a fine of 365,000 euros and another penalty of 3.2 million euros, according to the sentence.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, once Ronaldo’s big La Liga rival, paid a two-million-euro fine in 2016 in his own tax wrangle and received a 21-month jail term.

The prison sentence was later commuted to a further fine of 252,000 euros, equivalent to 400 euros per day of the original term.

Messi and his father Jorge Horacio Messi were found guilty of using companies in Belize, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying taxes on 4.16 million euros of Messi’s income earned from his image rights.

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano also agreed a one-year suspended sentence with authorities for tax fraud in 2016.