Despite reports that Lionel Messi’s tax case has been
settled, the Barcelona star’s lawyers insist no agreement has been reached with
the Spanish authorities.
Catalan newspaper El Periodico claimed yesterday that
Messi and his father will pay €15-million to the Spanish authorities to avoid
facing tax fraud charges in court.
Both Messis were due to appear in court on September 17
on charges that they, and their financial advisors, failed to declare more than
€4-million in image rights income between 2006 and 2009.
Messi's lawyer Angel Juarez insists his client is
"completely innocent", adding that the reports are baseless.
“Those stories were
published without any confirmation from us or any consultation,” Juarez, told
Goal.com.
“Nobody can confirm that information. We cannot comment
on any questions concerning my client [but] we still believe totally in his
innocence – that has never changed.”
A payment of €10-million was reportedly agreed last week
to cover Messi's image rights for 2010 and 2011.
Messi is the 10th best paid sportsperson in the world,
according to Forbes, with total annual earnings – including sponsorships and
endorsements – of €31.6-million.
Had Messi and his father been found guilty, they would
have faced up to five years in jail, although such sentences are not usually
imposed in Spain.
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