Lionel Messi Faces Trial In Spain For Defrauding Authorities Over €4 million

Arguably the best footballer of all time Lionel Messi has been ordered to appear in Spain’s courts.

The FC Barcelona superstar will face Spanish authorities over tax evasion allegations after a judge dismissed his defence’s appeal.

Messi and his father Jorge Messi are accused of defrauding the authorities of more than €4 million.

Messi’s defence lawyers had requested that the charges be dropped against the Argentinian footballer based on the fact that his father manages his finances.
The accusations first surfaced in 2007 and both Messi and his father were questioned in September 2013.

The duo are accused of using companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid tax obligations in Spain.

Messi’s defence had allegedly attempted to pin the blame on his father and try and absolve the 27-year-old entirely of any wrongdoing – however, this looks to have backfired in light of the judge’s latest ruling.

The four-time Ballon d’Or winner reportedly earns a staggering €384,000 a week at Barcelona.


Source: The Olive Press