Lionel Messi to face trial over tax fraud

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (2nd R) arrives in court to answer charges of tax evasion in Gava 

September 27, 2013

It is alleged that Messi's image rights were sold by his father and agent Jorge using companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid Spanish tax obligations.

The charges, which the footballer and his father have consistently denied, related to alleged tax evasion to the tune of €4 million payable on image rights income between 2007 and 2009, during which time Messi had contracts with companies including Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Danone and Proctor and Gamble among others.

Back in October, Spain's public prosecutor argued that Jorge was responsible for the family's finances and not the four-time World Player of the Year.

A court in Barcelona decided, however, Messi could have known about and approved the creation of a web of shell companies that were allegedly used to evade taxes due on income from image rights.

Source: YahooNews