A Barcelona court has turned down an appeal made by Lionel Messi in a case involving both the Argentine soccer star and his father Jorge Messi in a €4.1m tax fraud, saying there was evidence that the Barca forward and his father “benefited” from a network of companies that helped them avoid paying the correct amount of tax on commercial earnings through the sale of image rights to third parties and overseas entities.
Jorge Messi had sought to absolve his son from all blame taking all responsibility in the case.
The Spanish tribunal, however, today said Messi benefited too regardless of whether he was aware of the structures in place.
They are suspected of using companies in Belize and Uruguay to sell the rights to use Lionel Messi’s image, thereby circumventing tax obligations in Spain. The allegations date back to 2007-09.
Showing up before the judicial authorities, the Argentina skipper had said he dedicated “not a single minute of his life” to analyze his contracts. Later, his father made a payment of €5m to the tax authorities and absolved his son from all blame but authorities say he must stand trial too.
buenosairesherald.com