Madrid: World’s tenth highest paid athlete and richest
footballer on planet, Lionel Messi, who has been accused of Euro 4
million fraud by a Spanish prosecutor has claimed innocence, adding he
did not indulge in any wrongdoing.
Replying to the charges, which, if proven, could land the star
Barca footballer six years in prison, besides a hefty fine, Messi wrote
on his Facebook page, “We are surprised because we have never committed
any infringement. We have always fulfilled all our tax obligations,
following the advice of our tax consultants who will take care of
clarifying this situation.”
World Player of the Year for four successive years, Messi, 25, and
his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, were charged by Spanish prosecutor
Raquel Amado of defrauding more than 4 million euros ($5.3 million) in
income tax returns for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Messi, Amado alleged, "obtained significant revenue derived from
the transfer to third parties of his image rights, income which should
have been taxed."
The complaint says Messi "circumvented his tax obligations" by using shell companies in tax havens such as Belize and Uruguay.
The case was submitted for trial at the court in Gava, the upmarket
Barcelona suburb near the Mediterranean coast where Messi lives.
Messi, who is rated by Forbes as the world's 10th highest-paid
athlete, reportedly earned $41.3 million to June this year; with $20.3
coming from his club salary and $21 million in endorsements.
Argentina's media also appeared puzzled by Wednesday's development, with a newspaper describing it as "unexpected news."
Barcelona FC have not commented on the allegations.
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