Shakira reaches deal to avoid €14.5m tax fraud trial

Colombian pop Queen, Shakira attended court on Monday where she agreed to pay a fine of €7 million. She had previously been charged with tax evasion and had attended the first day of her trial in Barcelona.

According to Spanish prosecutors, the singer allegedly failed to pay more than €14.5 million between 2012 and 2014.

In a statement released to Sky News, the 46-year-old said she had "always strived to do what's right and set a positive example for others".

The singer has accepted the charges and a fine of 50% of the amount owed, more than €7.3 million and another fine of €438,000 to avoid a three-year prison sentence during the trial's first hearing.

The case focused on where she was living at the time and Shakira denied any wrongdoing.

In her statement, Shakira said she had sought "the advice of the world's preeminent tax authorities PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited and Ernst & Young Global Limited", her advisors throughout the process."

"Unfortunately, and despite these efforts, tax authorities in Spain pursued a case against me as they have against many professional athletes and other high-profile individuals, draining those people's energy, time, and tranquillity for years at a time"

"I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love - my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career, including my upcoming world tour and my new album, both of which I am extremely excited about," she continued.

"I admire tremendously those who have fought these injustices to the end, but for me, today, winning is getting my time back for my kids and my career."