Lionel Messi, perhaps the greatest footballer in the world, is reportedly facing jail time in connection with tax evasion charges he first faced in 2013. Messi, the Argentine captain, FC Barcelona star and four-time World Player of the Year, has, along with his father Jorge, been ordered to appear in a Spanish court on three counts of tax fraud, according to a report from Agence France-Presse. Messi and his father could face 22-months in prison if convicted.
While a public prosecutor has attempted to see that only Messi's father be tried, a Spanish judge denied the request, stating via AFP that, ""there are rational signs that the criminality was committed by both accused parties."
As AFP notes, "The pair were accused in 2013 of defrauding the taxman out of 4.16 million euros ($4.69 million) in taxes related to Messi's image rights between 2007 and 2009 through the creation of fake companies in Belize and Uruguay."
Prosecutors have argued that the alleged fraud was carried out solely by Jorge, who has "managed his son's affairs since he was a child." They have requested an 18-month sentence for Jorge and a fine for approximately half of the amount which is considered to have been defrauded.
But the lawyers acting on behalf of the government authorities are adamant that both Messi and Jorge face charges.
There could be good news for Barca and Argentina fans though - even if Mess is tried, most two-year sentences for first time offenses in Spain are suspended.
Messi is currently on the shelf for the next six weeks after injuring his knee and suffering ligament damage. His approximate yearly income is $65 million.
