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Barcelona star Lionel Messi cleared of tax fraud charges

Sport360 staff

00:50 07/10/2015

Spain's public prosecutor has dropped tax fraud charges against Lionel Messi, according to reports in Spain.

– Messi: Lawyers fight to prolong tax fraud rap
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– La Liga: Madrid press lay into Lionel Messi

But the Barcelona star's father will reportedly stand trial over the allegations, which relate to the Argentina international's image rights.

Jorge Messi is accused of defrauding Spain's tax office of 4m euros (£2.95m) in unpaid taxes from 2007 to 2009.

The prosecutor's office in Barcelona has recommended an 18-month prison sentence and a two million euros (£1.47m) fine for Jorge Messi.

The ruling said Jorge Messi was in control of his son's economic interests and taxes, reports claimed.

It read: "It has not been proven that (Lionel Messi's) lack of knowledge was deliberate or was done with the aim of defrauding the Treasury."

The prosecutor also reportedly asked that Lionel Messi acted as a witness in the trial.

Lionel Messi is currently sidelined by injury.

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