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Lionel Messi

Tax charges against Messi dropped but his father could face 18 months in prison

Authorities determine that the Barca star was unaware of alleged manoeuvres to avoid fiscal obligation.

LIONEL MESSI HAS seen charges of tax evasion against him dropped as prosecutors in Catalunya instead seek 18 months’ imprisonment for his father, Jorge Messi.

The Barcelona star had been accused of avoiding €4.1 million in tax obligations from 2007 to 2009, related to payments on image rights.

But Spanish authorities opted to get rid of the charges against him, marking his father as the sole person responsible for the alleged fraudulent acts.

“It is not plausible to think that his unawareness of events was intentional, or carried out seeking to defraud the Public Treasury,” the prosecutor’s ruling explained.

As such, the office deemed that, given Messi’s age and close links with his father, it was Jorge who looked after the player’s business interests and “control of tax obligations”.

Messi could, however, be called upon to testify in the case against Jorge, who has acted as his son’s agent throughout his professional career.

As well as a possible custodial sentence, Messi Sr could face a fine of €2m if found guilty on the charges.

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    Mute Heywood Jablome
    Favourite Heywood Jablome
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    Dec 28th 2023, 9:20 AM

    I know we’ve had no decent striker since Robbie Keane and we want to hang our hat on anyone who can fill his shoes but when are the Irish media gonna stop gushing about Ferguson?
    He scored a few goals against a poor Newcastle side months ago and has don very little since.
    If he’s fortunate enough to start for Brighton, he gets subbed after an hour, if he doesn’t start, he comes on as a sub. He’s done nothing in an Ireland jersey, in fact, I’m yet to see him have a good game for us.
    Until Ferguson holds down his place for Brighton and starts scoring 15+ goals a season, I don’t see him as the solution to Ireland’s goal scoring problem.

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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Dec 28th 2023, 4:59 PM

    @Heywood Jablome: Well let’s hear your suggestions, then we can see what you are trying to get across to us!!

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    Mute Dermott Russell
    Favourite Dermott Russell
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    Dec 28th 2023, 8:00 PM

    @Heywood Jablome: this is correct. He’s being hyped up to the sky. I don’t see an awful lot coming from him if people are going to continue to write this type of article about him.

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