Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has been given a 21-month jail sentence for tax evasion – but is unlikely to go to prison.
Messi and his father, Jorge, have received the same sentence but under Spanish law a prison sentence under two years can be served on probation, meaning they are unlikely to serve any time.
A Barcelona court found both men guilty of three counts of tax fraud. The sentence can be appealed through the Spanish supreme court, a statement said.
The court ordered Messi to pay a fine of around £1.7m and his father to pay £1.27m.
The case concluded on 3 June, with prosecutors contending that Messi’s father was the main person responsible for defrauding Spain’s tax authority of £3.19m from 2007-09.
However, the legal representative for the tax office said the Barcelona forward knew enough to also be held accountable.
At the end of the trial last month, he called for a prison sentence of 22 months each for both Messi and his father, while the public prosecutor requested a sentence of 18 months for the father only.
Government prosecutor Mario Maza had argued Messi and his father did not prove their innocence and were not able to show that the player did not have at least some knowledge of the corporate structures created to lower his tax burden in Spain.
“Messi knew more than he made it appear (in court),” Maza said at the time, adding that they “showed no credibility”.
However, neither man is expected to serve time in jail.
Under the Spanish system, prison terms under two years can be served under probation.
Sky Sports/ BBC
