Lionel Messi to stand trial for tax fraud in Spain

Messi and his father Jorge are accused of defrauding Spanish authorities of more than €4m (£3.1m; $5m).

LIONEL MESSI HAS seen charges of tax evasion against him dropped as prosecutors in Catalunya instead seek 18 months’ imprisonment for his father, Jorge Messi.

Lionel Messi has received another major setback in a long-running tax fraud case against him and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi.

Spain’s state attorney, however, had argued that both men should face a prison sentence of 22 months and 15 days.

However, in court documents released Thursday this argument was rejected as Messi was identified as the alleged “coauthor” of the fraud.

As a result, Messi will attend court with his father.

Earlier this week it was reported that Barcelona prosecutors had cleared the Blaugrana player, alleging that he had been unaware of actions taken on his behalf by his father.

A date has yet to be set for the trial for the forward, who is now sidelined with a knee injury.

Messi is charged with three counts of tax fraud, and will be tried in Spain.

Spanish tax authorities said they “cannot ignore” evidence that the player’s image rights revenue was channeled through off-shore tax havens including Uruguay and Belize.

Lionel Messi has been resident in Barcelona since 2000 and gained Spanish citizenship in 2005.

Four-time world player of the year Messi is the fourth richest sportsman in the world, according to Forbes magazine which estimates he earns $64.7 million a year.