Leo Messi to face fraud charges after appeal turned down
Updated: 2015-06-11 09:41
(Xinhua)
|
||||||||
Argentina's Lionel Messi smiles during a training session in La Serena, June 9, 2015. Argentina will play the group B matches along with Paraguay, Uruguay and Jamaica in the upcoming Copa America 2015 soccer tournament in Chile. [Photo/Agencies] |
MADRID - FC Barcelona and Argentina star Leo Messi will have to face trial for alleged tax fraud after a court in the town of Gava, just outside of Barcelona turned down an appeal against him having to appear.
Messi and his father face charges of defrauding 4.1 million euros in income tax (around 4.5 million U.S. dollars) from the Spanish Treasury after the Barcelona Provincial High Court ruled there is evidence he "benefitted" from a network of companies organized by his father, Jorge over the years 2007-2009.
The court made the decision despite Jorge insisting that he had organized everything and Leo's defense arguing that Leo had "never spent a minute of his life, studying or analyzing" the paperwork, all of which was handled by his father.
Although the Spanish State Prosecutor had been in favor of clearing Messi the judges argued that despite his lack of knowledge he had signed the contract and that a lack of knowledge of the fraud did signify impunity given that he had benefitted from the fraud.
- Across Canada(June 11)
- US dollar inspired art to be auctioned at Sotherby
- Coffee shop where Premier Li met entrepreneurs
- Cavs edge Warriors to take charge of finals
- Work hard, play hard - five ways to shake off exam stress
-
Six co-investments by Jack Ma and Pony Ma
- Yes, we are waiting for our children
- Chinese artist to be recognized at International Muse Awards
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Premier Li embarks on Latin America visit |
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Spring Festival trends reflect a changing China |
Patent applications lead the world |
Today's Top News
Pentagon prepares to greet General Fan
US to continue engaging with China in foreseeable future
Suu Kyi begins groundbreaking visit
Michelle Kwan to work for Hillary Clinton campaign
China, US take fresh views on TPP and AIIB
G7 accused of ignoring the facts over South China Sea
Obama weighs sending several hundred more US troops to Iraq
MSCI delays including China A shares in benchmark index
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |