Argentine professional football player Lionel Messi stands to face trial after he and his father were implicated for allegedly defrauding Spanish authorities of nearly £2.72 million.
According to BBC, Jorge Horracio allegedly avoided paying tax on his son’s earnings when he used offshore companies in Belize and Uruguay. Much of the money involved came from Messi’s income earned through the sale of his image rights during the tax years 2007, 2008 and 2009.
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Despite the fact that the elder Messi has maintained that Lionel has never played part in the management of his money. Prosecutors had also tried to request that Messi be excluded from the issue but apparently all that will now be left at the hands of a judge in the Spanish courts.
Right now, Messi will have to produce evidence in court at a date that has yet to be announced.
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As it stands now, the Argentine football star face three charges involving tax fraud which could result in a possible jail sentence of 22 months if proven guilty.
Despite appeals on the part of the Messi family that it should only be Jorge who should face trial since Lionel left all commercial businesses to him, such was overturned.
In response to the appeal, below is the official statement:
"In this type of crime, it is not necessary for someone to have complete knowledge of all the accounting and business operations nor the exact quantity, rather it is sufficient to be aware of the designs to commit fraud and consent to them."
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