Italian MotoGP star Valentino Rossi could face criminal proceedings over alleged tax evasion after an investigation into his financial dealings was opened on Thursday.
The seven-time world champion has been reported to the public prosecutor's office in Pesaro by Italian tax inspectors.
The move came just 24 hours after Italy's tax agency revealed it was investigating Rossi for possible undeclared earnings of 60 million euros accrued between 2000 and 2004.
The 28-year-old, who took up residence in Britain in 2000, is suspected of failing to declare sponsorship and team earnings to the appropriate authorities during that time.
Should the prosecutor's office bring a criminal case against him, Rossi could face a fine of around 50 million euro or a prison sentence of up to three years if found guilty.
