Lionel Messi to appeal tax fraud verdict

This file photo taken on June 02, 2016 shows Barcelona's football star Lionel Messi (L) leaving the courthouse on June 2, 2016 in Barcelona. A court in Spain on July 7, 2016 sentenced Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and his father to 21 months in jail for tax fraud and slapped them with a fine of 3.7 million euros ($4.1 million). ©AFP

Argentina and Barcelona superstar Leonel Messi has vowed to appeal to the Spanish Supreme Court after being sentenced to a 21 month suspended jail term for tax fraud.

On Wednesday, the court found both Messi and his father GUILTY of 3 counts of defrauding Spain of 4.1 Million Euros.

The Barcelona court also fined Messi 2 million Euros and his father, 1 point 5 million, for using tax havens in Beleez and Uruguay.

Lionel Messi (R) and his father Jorge Horacio Messi sit as they face judges in a tax fraud case at the courthouse of Barcelona on June 2, 2016. ©AFP

However, under Spanish law, a prison sentence under two years can be served under probation; meaning Messi and his father are unlikely to go to jail.

The Argentine’s lawyers feel an appeal would eventually succeed in persuading the court that the 5-time world player of the year and his father have behaved correctly.

Messi is Argentina's career-leading scorer with 55 goals in 113 international appearances, while winning 4 Champions League titles and 3 Club World Cup trophies with Barcelona.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku