Messi Found Guilty of Tax Fraud

[Althetuna]

I didn't realize he was in trouble.

Barcelona soccer star Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison after a court in Barcelona found him guilty of three counts of tax fraud, a statement from the court said on Wednesday.


The court also sentenced the Argentine soccer player's father, Jorge, to 21 months in prison for the same three crimes. The sentence can be appealed through the Spanish supreme court, the statement said.



However, under Spanish law a prison sentence under two years can be served under probation, meaning Messi and his father are unlikely to go to jail.


The court ordered Messi to pay a fine of around 2 million euros ($2.21 million) and his father to pay 1.5 million euros for the crimes.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/06/span...star-lionel-messi-for-tax-crimes-reuters.html

 

[3TrueFans]

It's been on the burner for awhile now. Obviously he us ultimately responsible for paying his taxes, but clearly Messi isn't sitting down to do his taxes himself. Since he has no previous criminal record he won't serve any time since it is under 2 years.

 

[carvers4math]

Even 21 months he won't serve seems harsh for tax fraud compared to that bladerunner guy getting six years for murder.

 

[ArgentCy]

Hmm, broke country... Famous rich person.... star player in your most popular sport...chooses to play for a different country. Yep, that doesn't surprise me in the least. A shakedown no more no less.

So Messi obviously has issues with both Argentina and Spain now. I wonder if he would rather move and play for a country like the UK?

 

[Clonehomer]

So under probation, will that cause him difficulty travelling to away games? And does this mean that he couldn't be traded from Barcelona (not sure why they'd want to)?

 

[Bryce7]

So under probation, will that cause him difficulty travelling to away games? And does this mean that he couldn't be traded from Barcelona (not sure why they'd want to)?

Leg bracelet with gps.

 

[3TrueFans]

So under probation, will that cause him difficulty travelling to away games? And does this mean that he couldn't be traded from Barcelona (not sure why they'd want to)?

It could technically cause an issue depending on the country he's trying to enter, but Mascherano was convicted of basically the same thing last year and he just played in the Copa America tournament last month in the US.

I suppose the conviction could make getting a work visa in another country difficult if he were sold (which he obviously would not be any time soon), but I imagine a lot of countries would bend the rules to allow Messi to play there. If Messi wanted to come play in the MLS next season people would figure out a way to make it happen.

 

[boone7247]

I didn't realize he was in trouble.


http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/06/span...star-lionel-messi-for-tax-crimes-reuters.html

Oops!

This all stems from something he was paid for when he was like 18 - 20 years old. The Spanish attorney didn't even what to charge him, just his dad because he was a minor when he signed the contract and his dad was the one that put it all together. But the judge charged him. Pretty big fine, plus I am sure the interest isn't cheap on 4 million Euro.

This is why it is important to pay your taxes kids!

 

[nfrine]

Messy for Messi.

 

[ILiftWithRoyce]

he can join Pete Rose and Wesley Snipes's tax fraud survivor support group

 

[carvers4math]

he can join Pete Rose and Wesley Snipes's tax fraud survivor support group

Go old school, Paul Hornung and some sweet cars.