Tax fraud trial set for Messi

Lionel Messi and his father's trial for tax fraud will begin on 31 May at a court in Barcelona. Barcelona's star striker together with Jorge Horacio Messi (his father) have been charged with tax fraud for allegedly failing to declare 4.16 million euros in taxes related to his image rights between 2007 and 2009 through front companies in Uruguay and Belize. The pair are accused of ceding the player's image rights to the companies in order to avoid declaring money made from lucrative deals with sponsors in Spain. The attorney's office called for a prison of 22 months and 15 days, along with the fine of the amount defrauded, payment of all legal proceedings and the loss of any possible tax benefits for a year and a half.
Barcelona's forward is already expected to have a shorter preparation ahead of the tournament if his side reaches the Champions League final which is scheduled for 28 May. As Copa America Centenario starts 03 June, the trial date means that the five-time world player of the year may miss tournaments' first few games, although Argentina's first match is on 06 June. Because of this important South American competition, Messi's lawyers are expected at least to try to change the trial dates so that he can be fully prepared.
The Argentinian is not the only Barcelona player to appear in court in the coming months. Brazilian striker and his teammate Neymar Jr. has been asked to testify into his own case irregularities involving his transfer to the Catalan club. Together with his parents, former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and current Josep Maria Bartomeu have to appear before the judge on 01 and 02 February. Last year Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano admitted to a court that he failed to pay nearly 1.5 million euros in taxes owed for 2011 and 2012.