Lionel Messi | GlobalPost

Messi's tax headache may get bigger

Agencia EFEJune 17, 2013 15:32

Barcelona, Jun 17 (EFE).- Spain's tax agency may expand an investigation of FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi that has already led to charges against the 25-year-old Argentine, judicial sources told Efe. Messi stands accused of defrauding the Spanish state of some 4.1 million euros ($5.5 million) in taxes on income from endorsements that he allegedly failed to report on his 2007, 2008 and 2009 tax returns. Authorities could decide to scrutinize the player's 2010, 2011 and 2012 returns to determine whether the alleged under-reporting of income continued, the sources said.

Football: No doubt over Messi innocence - Barcelona

Agence France-PresseJune 14, 2013 22:22

Barcelona threw their support behind Lionel Messi on Thursday, insisting they had no doubt that the superstar was innocent of tax avoidance. "We are all calm," Barcelona president Sandro Rosell told a news conference in this northeastern city. "His family have all of our support," he added. "We do not have the slightest doubt of Messi's complete innocence in this matter." Argentina star Messi and his father Jorge Horacio have been accused of defrauding the Spanish tax authorities of more than four million euros ($5 million, £3.4 million).

Football: Spain stunned by Messi tax avoidance claims

Agence France-PresseJune 13, 2013 05:32

Lionel Messi's spotless image as the world's greatest footballer and a humble man has taken a stunning blow with accusations that he cheated on his taxes, the Spanish media said on Thursday. Newspapers reacted with shock to news that the Barcelona star and Argentina international has been accused of defrauding the Spanish tax authorities of more than four million euros ($5 million, £3.4 million). "A symbol under suspicion," blared the front page of the country's biggest sports daily, Marca, saying in an editorial that he had cast doubt on his image as an exemplary sportsman.

Football: Messi, father deny tax crime allegation

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 19:41

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi denied stunning allegations Wednesday that he and his father engaged in tax fraud worth more than four million euros ($5 million). The 25-year-old Argentina international and four-time World Player of the year expressed shock at the accusation by Spanish financial crimes prosecutors. "We are surprised about this news because we have never committed any infringement," the striker said in an English-language statement released on his Facebook account.

Football: Messi, father deny tax accusations

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 13:39

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi denied stunning allegations Wednesday that he and his father engaged in tax fraud worth more than four million euros ($5 million), expressing shock at the accusations. The 25-year-old Argentina international and four-time World Player of the year said he had just learned through the media of the allegations filed by the Spanish tax authorities. "We are surprised about this news because we have never committed any infringement," he said in an English-language statement released on his Facebook account.

Football: Messi, father deny tax accusations

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 12:35

Barcelona football superstar Lionel Messi on Wednesday denied any wrongdoing in his tax filings and expressed shock at allegations of tax crimes against him and his father. "We are surprised about those news, because we have never committed any infringement," the Argentine player said in an English-language statement released on his Facebook account. "We have always fulfilled all our tax obligations, following the advices of our tax consultants who will take care of clarifying this situation." djw/phz

Messi and father accused of tax fraud in Spain

Thomson ReutersJune 12, 2013 11:35

MADRID (Reuters) - Barcelona's Argentina forward Lionel Messi and his father have been accused by Spanish tax authorities of defrauding the state of more than four million euros ($5.3 million). The World Player of the Year and his father Jorge allegedly filed fraudulent tax returns for the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, according to a spokesman for the prosecutor's office for tax crimes in Catalonia. A Barca spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Football: Argentina sweat on Messi fitness

Agence France-PresseJune 10, 2013 08:30

Argentina travel to Ecuador for their latest 2014 World Cup qualifier with a big doubt hanging over the head of star striker Lionel Messi. A victory would all but assure the twice world champions' place at next year's showpiece in neighbours Brazil but without Messi, Argentina are not the same animal. They may lead the qualifying standings by five points from Colombia after the pair's draw in Buenos Aires on Friday but that match showed just how important the Barcelona great is to the team.

Messi gets the medical all-clear from Barça

Agencia EFEJune 7, 2013 13:23

Barcelona, Jun 7 (EFE).- FC Barcelona's team doctors on Friday gave striker Leo Messi the all-clear to play in the Argentine national squad's upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Messi injured his hamstring in an April 2 Champions League quarterfinal match against Paris Saint-Germain. Though he continued to play, the man widely regarded as the world's best soccer player was clearly at less than 100 percent and had no impact in Barça's losing Champions League semifinal clash with Bayern Munich.

Football: Sanchez to stay and fight for place at Barca

Agence France-PresseMay 24, 2013 13:02

Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez has said he is determined to stay at the club and play on a more regular basis despite interest from other sides. The Chilean has started just 17 of Barca's 36 league games this season as they have strolled to a fourth title in five seasons, but says he expects to turn down offers from elsewhere to prove himself in the Catalan capital. "Everyone expects more of me and I know I can give a lot more," he told a press conference on Friday. "I see myself here next season, despite a lot of options I have had to leave.