Football Star, Lionel Messi To Stand Trial For Tax Fraud In Spain
Football Star, Lionel Messi To Stand Trial For Tax Fraud In Spain
Argentina and Barcelona super star Lionel Messi has been directed to stand trial for a tax fraud charge by judge in Spain.
Messi and his father Jorge are accused of defrauding Spain of more than €4m (£3.1m; $5m). They deny any wrongdoing.
Lawyers acting on behalf of the tax authorities demanded 22-month jail sentences for both defendants.
Prosecutors allege that Jorge avoided paying tax on his son’s earnings by using offshore companies in Belize and Uruguay in 2007-09.
“There are rational signs that the criminality was committed by both accused parties,” wrote the judge in a court filing, according to the AFP news agency.
No date has been set for the trial of the 28-year-old footballer.
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