The Dubai airport officer committed the offense after the Argentine turned down a request for a picture.

An airport officer in the city of Dubai is facing a possible six-month jail sentence after posting a video with the passport of Lionel Messi on Snapchat.

The policeman, a 26-year-old man identified as J.J, is also facing a €124,000 fine after committing the offense during the Barca superstar’s short stay in U.A.E for the Globe Soccer Award, where he won the Best Player of the Year award for 2015.

J.J. requested a picture with the now five-time Ballon d’Or winner, but was turned down, being told that the Blaugrana attacker was tired.

This is when the airport officer recorded a video of himself with Leo’s passport, which he posted on Snapchat with the message: “"This is Messi here in Dubai … what shall I do now? Burn his passport or let it go! Alas … I will let it go."

Messi shaking hands with Dubai Prime Minister and U.A.E vice-president Sheikh Mohammed

Lionel Messi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 2015 Globe Soccer Awards

It is not yet clear whether the policeman sought Messi’s passport, or stumbled across it by accident.

According to Gulf News, J.J. said: “I waited for Messi’s arrival to take a photo with him, but his private escorts informed me that the player was tired and would not be able to take a photo. 

"Thereafter I walked to the passport control’s office where I saw Messi’s passport on a desk. I grabbed the passport and opened it to the page that contained Messi’s personal details and took video images with my iPhone via Snapchat."

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Athletic Club 1 - 2 Barcelona

January 20, 2016 3:00pmSan Mamés Barria (Bilbao)

This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.

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