According to explanations coming out of the court in Spain, it is understood that Lionel Messi fans must not panic and his anti-supporters cannot celebrate... just yet.
Sky Sport released this breaking news video on Wednesday morning:
BREAKING: Lionel Messi given 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud. #SSNHQ https://t.co/b8zdhTrO09
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) July 6, 2016
It is alleged that Messi's father, in charge of his son's finances, used tax havens in Uruguay and Belize to avoid paying taxes on image rights. The 21-month sentence is the result of ruling stating that Messi should serve seven months for each of his three tax fraud charges.
Lionel Messi and his dad are set to appeal the decision. As of now, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will be able to concentrate on his football as the law states that any sentence below two years can be suspended. The Argentine superstar, besides, is believed to have no criminal record. His only warning: to not break the law again.
So, no jail time for the 29-year-old who recently suffered a heartbreak in the Copa America final as his missed penalty saw Chile triumph on the night. He has however has been fined €2M by the Court of Catalonia.
Meanwhile, his dad has been slapped with a €1.5m fine. Back in August 2013, the pair agreed to pay up to €5M as "corrective payment" in order to fix the unpaid €4.1M tax issue.
