Lionel Messi has received the support of Spain’s Professional Football League (LFP) as the Barcelona star prepares to stand trial for tax evasion.
The Argentine and his father Jorge face 22 months in prison if they are found guilty on all three counts of tax fraud, but Javier Tebas is adamant that the player is innocent of any wrongdoing and will not be charged.
“I hope Messi is cleared of any tax offences,” he told Cadena COPE.
“I don’t know his case 100 percent, but it highlights the problem of interpreting tax legislation, which, unfortunately, is a recurring issue in football, "said Tebas.
“It’s one thing to wrongly follow the rules and another to avoid paying taxes with full criminal intent.”
