Messi tax fraud trial concludes, prosecution calls for his release

Lionel Messi’s tax fraud trial has concluded and a verdict is expected to be delivered early next week.

Spanish prosecutors also on Friday called for Messi’s absolution, but at the same time called for his father Jorge Horacio Messi to be found guilty.

The pair have been accused of using companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid paying taxes on Messi’s income earned from his image rights from 2007 to 2009.

Messi had on Thursday admitted in court that he signed many documents without reading their contents. Prosecutor Raquel Amado, however, maintained her accusation against Messi’s father, who was managing his finances, saying that he was answerable for not explaining to his son how his wealth was being managed.

The income, related to Messi’s image rights, which was allegedly hidden includes endorsement deals with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter & Gamble and the Kuwait Food Company.

Messi and his father did not attend the fourth and final day of the trial.

The player had been due to jet off to the United States after his Thursday court appearance for the Copa America where Argentina take on defending champions Chile on Monday.

No date has been set for the court ruling.

AFP