Bayern Munich goal machine Robert Lewandowksi’s battle with his ex-manager has taken another twist after the footballer-turned-agent was arrested in Warsaw, with outlets reporting “criminal threats” towards the Poland captain.
The regional prosecutor’s office in Warsaw is said to have launched an investigation into blackmail threats made by Cezary Kucharski against “an outstanding Polish footballer, former client and associate”.
Kucharski is alleged to have tried to extort 20 million euros (more than $23 million) from the striker, who was the top scorer across the major leagues in Europe last season and was a strong candidate to win the Ballon d’Or before the 2020 edition was canceled.
The former striker was reported last month to have filed a lawsuit against Lewandowski’s margeting company, RL Management, in a court in the Polish capital.
According to documents seen by Spiegel, the $10.5 million suit claimed that Lewandowski had illegally diverted “several million euros” alongside his wife, Anna, to pay for “luxury travel and expensive interior design” in dealings that could have evaded tax authorities.
Sportowe Fakty said that Kucharski had been Lewandowski’s agent for more than ten years before parting company with the Bundesliga hotshot.
The Polish source reported that Lewandowski had been accused of pre-dating advertizing contracts, run through his now-dissolved company, to avoid paying taxes.
Kucharski played in attack for Poland for six years from 1996 and was named in his country’s squad for the 2002 World Cup.
He will reportedly face the charges at the prosecutor’s office, where a decision will be made about applying “preventive measures”. (RT)