Lionel Messi gets 21-month sentence for tax evasion but set to avoid prison http://www.skysports.com/football/n...tence-for-tax-evasion-but-set-to-avoid-prison Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has been given a 21-month jail sentence for tax evasion - but is unlikely to go to prison. Messi and his father, Jorge, have received the same sentence but under Spanish law a prison sentence under two years for a first-time non-violent crime can be served on probation, meaning they are unlikely to serve any time. A Barcelona court found both men guilty of three counts of tax fraud. The sentence can be appealed through the Spanish supreme court, a statement said. The court ordered Messi to pay a fine of around £1.7m and his father to pay £1.27m.
But Ronaldo is a twat.... Can;t see him doing any time - too high profile (regardless of whether he should or not) just the way most courts work. Not like he can;t afford it though. It's a months wages.
They will probably appeal but won't go to prison. They will both have a criminal record for tax fraud and their offshore bank balance will be several millions less than it is now - and his accountant is probably out of a job
In Spain, a jail sentence of less than 2 years is commuted to probation. Probably just coincidence that a multi million tax fraud case of a popular international footballer ends up with a prison sentence........ just under 2 years. Funny that
I heard that if a sentence is under 2 years (conveniently 21 months) then in Spain you don't go to prison. However, I may have just made that up.
AJ, Chad Evens, Joey Barton, Tony Adams, Lee Hughes, Marlon King, Jan Molby, Jermaine Pennant and Duncan Ferguson. Just off the top of my head.
No. 1. "Messi and his father, Jorge, have received the same sentence but under Spanish law a prison sentence under two years for a first-time non-violent crime can be served on probation, meaning they are unlikely to serve any time." 2. The BBC can't afford the image rights
Apparently Messi has appealed. I might spare a chuckle or two if the next judge not only finds him guilty but that the original sentence was too lenient.
That would be funny. He certainly must have a fair bit of dosh stashed away. He is the worlds 2nd highest paid athlete (yes Ronaldo is No1) Messi’s annual earnings consist of 48.2 million euros in salary and winnings, on top of 25.3 million euros in endorsements. A clear case of tax evasion and a paltry fine in relation to his earnings / net worth. http://www.forbes.com/profile/lionel-messi/
