Messi might go to jail for tax fraud...

[marylander1940]

 

Barcelona (AFP) - Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and his father were sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in jail for tax fraud by a court in Spain where the taxman has set its sights on footballers.

 

But these prison sentences are likely to be suspended as it is common in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying a sentence of less than two years.

 

The Barcelona court found the Argentina international and his father Jorge Horacio Messi guilty of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying taxes on 4.16 million euros of Messi's income earned from his image rights from 2007-09.

 

The income related to Messi's image rights allegedly hidden includes endorsement deals with Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter & Gamble or the Kuwait Food Company.

 

Messi, 29, a five time FIFA World Player winner, was fined 2.09 million euros while his father was fined 1.6 million euros.

 

They can appeal the decision to Spain's Supreme Court.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/barcelonas-messi-sentenced-21-months-tax-fraud-111336062--sow.html