Aleksib charged with aggravated tax fraud in Finland over undeclared sticker income

Aleksi "Aleksib" Virolainen, captain of NAVI, faces a charge of aggravated tax fraud in his home country. Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported the case after obtaining the court documents.

What prosecutors allege

The case revolves around Major stickers. Every time a player competes at a Major, Valve sells stickers bearing their signature, and part of the revenue is shared between teams and players.

According to prosecutors, Aleksib left more than €53,000 he had received from Valve for this out of his tax return. As a result, he allegedly paid around €28,000 less in tax than he owed. The prosecution also argues the omission was deliberate, which is why it is seeking a four-month suspended prison sentence: he would not have to go to prison as long as he meets the conditions imposed.

Sources differ on the exact year of the income, placing it in either 2019 or 2020. By then Aleksib had already played two Majors with ENCE, including the IEM Katowice 2019 final against Astralis.

Aleksib's account

The player acknowledges that the income was not declared but has pleaded not guilty. By his account, he did not know at the time that sticker money was taxable income, and he denies intentionally seeking any gain.

NAVI have not commented publicly on the case.

No verdict yet

The trial was originally scheduled for the spring but was pushed back to the autumn because of NAVI's packed competitive calendar. A verdict will be delivered once the hearing concludes, though no date has been announced. Until then, this is an accusation, not a conviction.

Whatever the outcome, the case puts a spotlight on something rarely discussed: sticker money is a significant part of many players' income, and at least as far as the Finnish tax authorities are concerned, it has to be declared like any other.

Source: Iltalehti, Dexerto, Pallomeri.