Colombian pop star Shakira has reached a deal with Spanish prosecutors to settle a tax fraud case, just as her trial was about to begin.

The singer has paid a €7.5 million fine; prosecutors had wanted to jail her for eight years and fine her €23.8 million if found guilty.

She had faced tax fraud allegations for €14.5 million in a Barcelona court.

Shakira, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, said she settled “with the best interest of my kids at heart”.

In a lengthy statement, she said her children “do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight”.