Barcelona star Lionel Messi could dodge
prison for alleged tax evasion if he admits wrongdoing and pays a fine of
£20million.
It was revealed the
footie ace and his dad Jorge are being investigated for an alleged £3.4million
tax fraud in Spain between 2007 and 2009.
If convicted, the
Argentinian could face up to six years behind bar or be ordered to pay fines of
up to six times the amount allegedly defrauded.
Jorge is accused of
being the brains behind the operation – one which allegedly used shell
companies and tax havens to hide income relating to Messi’s image rights.
However, Messi has
strongly denied doing anything wrong.
He said in a statement:
“We have never committed any infringement. We have always fulfilled all our tax
obligations, following the advice of our tax consultants who will take care of
clarifying this situation.”
Jorge ... "the brains behind the operation"
The 25-year-old, recognized
as the best player in the world, is rumored to earn £250,000-a-week and
£13 million pounds in endorsements.
Tax expert José María
Mollinedo said: “If the player pays and admits his involvement, he could obtain
a reduction in the minimum punishment, because of which he would not have to go
to prison.”
The Barcelona president,
Sandro Rosell, yesterday defended the club’s star player.
He said: “We are with
him and his family because we don’t have any doubt about his innocence.”
A spokesman for the
Spanish Treasury Ministry declined to comment about the Messi case or other
investigations.
A judge will decide if
the case will be taken to trial.
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