The Spanish State Legal Service has called for Leo Messi to serve 18-month prison sentence for tax offences committed between 2007 and 2009. Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi and his father Jorge is to stand trial on three counts of tax fraud that could carry prison sentences.
Spain’s public prosecutor has recommended a jail sentence totalling 18 months and fines of more than €2m for Jorge Messi for allegedly defrauding the state of €4.2m during the years 2007-09. Although the prosecutor has argued Lionel Messi should not have to answer the charges as his father oversaw his finances, a court document published on Thursday showed the judge in the case had ruled he must still appear as a defendant and the forward could face up to 22 months in jail if found guilty, The Guardian reported.
Barcelona has come in support of Messi and claims that they are unfairly targeting the club.
“They are damaging to the smooth running of the club, its stability and that of the players that form part of it. The club shall be working with more determination than ever to defend its legitimate rights and is ready for any new challenges that might arise,” Barcelona said in a statement.
Comments
Comments are closed.