Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison, but is unlikely to face any jail time.El Espanol report he Barcelona striker has been found guilty of breaching three tax offences, which total around £3.5million in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. Messi was not only involved as his father Jorge was also given a 21-month sentence, but it has been reduced to 15. Jorge Messi was originally ordered to pay a fine of £1.3 million, but that has been reduced to £1.1 million by the law court.
It is unlikely Messi or his father will serve a stretch behind bars, however. Under Spanish law, a prison sentence under two years can be served under probation if you have no prior criminal record
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s team-mates, Neymar and Javier Mascherano, have also been been accused of tax fraud, with the former ordered to stand trial.
Following the original court case, Barcelona released a short statement in support of Messi.
“FC Barcelona gives all its support to Leo Messi and his father with relation to the sentence for tax evasion handed out by the Provincial Court in Barcelona.
“The club, in agreement with the government prosecution service, considers that the player, who has corrected his position with the Spanish Tax Office, is in no way criminally responsible with regards to the facts underlined in this case.
“FC Barcelona continues to be at the disposal of Leo Messi and his family to support him in whatever action he decides to take in defence of his honesty and his legal interests. “
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