Advertisement
Manu Fernandez

Barcelona set up campaign 'in support' of Lionel Messi after prison sentence for tax fraud

‘We want Leo to know that he is not alone’, the Catalan club have said.

IN THE PANTHEON of public relations gaffes, Barcelona have certainly conjured quite a memorable one.

Three days after the club’s star player Lionel Messi was handed a 21-month suspended prison sentence for tax fraud, his employers have outlined plans for a campaign designed to support their embattled attacker.

“Using the hashtag #WeAreAllLeoMessi while posting a photo or message with both hands open, the campaign is encouraging all Barça fans to express their sympathy for the greatest footballer in the world by voicing their unconditional support on social networks”, the club wrote on their official website.

“By making it clear that #WeAreAllMessi, we want Leo to know that he is not alone. All members, supporters clubs, fans, athletes, media and everyone else are invited to participate.”

Last Wednesday, the court in Catalonia found that Messi, along with his father, owed more than €4m in back payments after dodging tax on the player’s image rights by setting up offshore companies in Belize and Uruguay.

Messi told investigators that he was unaware of the tax fraud while his father, Jorge, said a financial advisor told him the strategy was above board.

Because of having no previous convictions and the fact the sentence was less than two years, both Messi and his father avoided a jail sentence but were fined €1.7m and €1.3m respectively.

The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!

‘I think I understand now why he’s called ‘The Madman”: Lazio hit back at Bielsa

Remember Yakubu? He’s making a comeback in some very unlikely surroundings

Author
Eoin O'Callaghan
View 20 comments
Close
20 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.