Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge, were accused of duping Spanish authorities to the tune of 4.16 million euros ($5.99 million) in tax on earnings from the player's image rights from 2007-2009 through the creation of a web of shell companies in Belize and Uruguay.
The footballer pleaded innocence in front of the tax authorities and informed court about not being involved in any sort of wrong doing as he nor his father is directly involved in managing the forward’s wealth.
The court has rejected Messi’s plea in entirety and has summoned the Barcelona man’s entourage to court.
The Spanish judge's statement read:
'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.'
This sounds trouble for the legendary Argentine because he can face a prison sentence under Spanish laws, if proved guilty.
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