Lionel Messi leaves court after being accused of defrauding the Spanish Tax Agency
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison.
The Argentina international and his father, Jorge, were found guilty at a Barcelona court on Wednesday of defrauding Spanish tax authorities of €4.1m (£3.5m) between 2007 and 2009.
The pair are highly unlikely to serve any time in jail, however, as under Spanish law a prison sentence under two years can be served under probation.
Messi, a five-time world footballer of the year and one of the sport's highest earners, was accused of using offshore companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid taxation on image rights earnings.
He has always maintained his innocence, insisting he left all financial matters in the hands of his father and lawyers.
Speaking in court last month, the 29-year-old said: "I didn't know anything. I was focused on playing football and didn't have any idea.
"I trusted my father and the lawyers."
The disputed tax payments date back to a period from 2007 to 2009, a time when Messi helped to transform Barca into the world's best team.
He has now, however, been fined £1.7m for three counts of tax fraud while his father has been given a £1.3m fine, although both men can appeal against these sentences at the supreme court.
The four-day hearing actually concluded in Barcelona on June 3, shortly before Lionel Messi left to join Argentina's squad for the Copa America.
Read more at http://talksport.com/football/barcelona-superstar-lionel-messi-sentenced-21-months-prison-tax-fraud-he-wont-serve-any#K64zdixkIMXGXo2l.99
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