Lionel Messi cleared, but dad in dock over tax fraud

Spain's public prosecutor has dropped tax fraud charges against Lionel Messi, according to reports in Spain. But the Barcelona star's father will reportedly stand trial over the allegations, which relate to the Argentina international's image rights

Barcelona: Spain's public prosecutor has dropped tax fraud charges against Lionel Messi, according to reports in Spain. But the Barcelona star's father will reportedly stand trial over the allegations, which relate to the Argentina international's image rights.


Lionel Messi

Jorge Messi is accused of defrauding Spain's tax office of 4m euros (£2.95m) in unpaid taxes from 2007 to 2009.

The prosecutor's office in Barcelona has recommended an 18-month prison sentence and a two million euros (£1.47m) fine for Jorge. The ruling said Jorge was in control of his son's economic interests and taxes.

It read: "It has not been proven that (Lionel Messi's) lack of knowledge was deliberate or was done with the aim of defrauding the Treasury." The prosecutor also reportedly asked that Lionel Messi be a witness in the trial.

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