The taxman no longer cometh for Lionel Messi, but his father, Jorge, isn’t free and clear.
Prosecutors in Barcelona, Spain, cleared Lionel Messi of tax fraud charges Monday but recommended a fine and a prison sentence for Jorge Messi, according to The BBC. The Messis were accused of evading more than €4 million (£3.1 million; $4.5 million) in taxes owed to the Spanish government by using shell companies in Belize and Uruguay to house the Barcelona star’s image rights between 2007 and 2009.
Spanish newspaper El Pais reported Messi’s lawyer argued the soccer star “never devoted a minute of his life to reading, studying or analyzing” the contracts. Lionel Messi was around 20 to 22 years old during that period. The court agreed to drop Lionel Messi from the case.
Jorge Messi has managed his son’s finances since the start of his career and now could face stiff punishment. Prosecutors will pursue the case against the elder Messi, who could face 18 months in prison and a €2 million (£1.5 million; $2.5 million) fine.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@BBCSport
