Tax evasion charges against Lionel Messi dropped
Tax evasion charges against Barcelona star Lionel Messi have been dropped, according to BBC.com.
Both Messi and his father were accused of attempting to avoid paying around $5 million in taxes on Messi’s earnings from 2007 to 2009. According to the charges, Jorge Messi attempted to do this through offshore companies in Belize and Uruguay.
According to Goal.com, authorities determined that Messi, who was 20-years old at the time the tax evasion allegedly began, was not aware of his father’s actions.
Spanish authorities will continue to pursue charges against Jorge, who faces 18 months in prison.
Messi sustained a torn internal collateral ligament in his left knee last Saturday in a match against Las Palmas, and will not play for seven to eight weeks while he recovers.
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