Friday, 21st June, 2013
Lionel Messi has reiterated his stance over the ongoing tax-avoidance allegations against him and his father, insisting that there was no fraud on their part.
The Barcelona star and his father Jorge have been given a court summons date, 17th September, when they will be questioned over alleged tax fraud for the time period between 2007 and 2009.
A decision will then be taken over whether the duo will be formally charged with tax fraud to the tune of more than €4m, with the court having already accepted a complaint from lawyers in Spain.
However, Lionel Messi is confident the allegations are false, telling Italian newspaper Corriere della Serra: "Our advisors will clarify this with the tax authorities. There was no fraud."
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The world’s second-highest paid footballer then added: "We have always paid what we were told to pay by our advisors."
Lionel Messi, who won yet another league title with Barcelona this season, has been given the support of his club after the allegations had surfaced on 12th June.
The Argentine had back then responded quickly via his Facebook page to deny the allegations, admitting to being "surprised" at the news and maintaining that they had "always fulfilled all our tax obligations".
If the pair are charged and then found guilty, a prison term is likely, with reports suggesting it could be up to six years.
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