Tax fraud allegation against Messi

Spanish tax authorities have reportedly accused Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and his father of tax fraud totalling more than €4m.

El Periodico allege that Messi and his father Jorge Horacio Messi Perez have had a complaint filed against them through courts in Gava on three crimes relating to public finance and income tax for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The complaint is against the duo for alleged criminal and civil responsibility over the sale between 2006 and 2009 of the Argentine footballer’s image rights to third parties based in tax haven destinations.

This has been identified as taxable income that Messi and his father are alleged to have hidden from tax authorities, with the total value of the apparent fraud valued at more than €4m.

A judge at Gava's courthouse will now consider the complaint and rule if charges should be brought against the pair.

Tags Hacienda Messi Tax
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