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Lionel Messi has indirectly echoed that he is completely innocent in the wake of the tax fraud case against him and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi. The company which manages Messi’s image rights has released a statement stating that Messi Jr. is innocent and he should not be charged. The accusations against them are that both of them defrauded Spanish authorities of more than €4m (£3.1m; $5m).
The statement reads, “The Public Prosecution Office did not accuse the Argentine of any tax crime, but rather extensively explained the reasons why he should not be charged. The State Legal Service is contradicting the Public Prosecution Office's request and judgement"
"In the coming weeks, Leo Messi's defence lawyers will have the opportunity to make their case ahead of the trial and to submit the evidence that they deem appropriate, corroborating that the Public Prosecution Office's position about not charging Messi [Jr] is correct", it concludes.
Both of the accused appeared in court in the Catalan town of Gava in September 2013, since then there have been various rulings in the case, and various legal steps have either stalled or advanced the proceedings at various intervals.
The Spanish State Attorney said in court previously that if proven guilty, both Messi Sr. and Messi Jr. will have to face jail terms up to 22 months. The decision means that Messi and his father, remain under investigation for three counts of tax fraud committed in the tax years 2007, 2008 and 2009.
FC Barcelona come out in support of Messi
Barcelona have also released a statement on their official website in support of Lionel Messi, the statement goes like,
"1. The Club expresses its surprise at the difference in criteria between the Public Prosecutors, which on September 25 decided not to accuse Lionel Messi of tax fraud, and the verdict expressed today by the State Attorney, which states the complete opposite.
"2. FC Barcelona has expressed its affection and solidarity to Leo Messi and his family in such a peculiar situation. The Club shall continue to offer him and his family its full support and assistance in the legal, fiscal and administrative aspects of these proceedings.
"3. FC Barcelona decries the accumulation of totally inadmissible and external decisions that have been going on for some time, and that have nothing to with strictly sporting affairs. They are damaging to the good operations of the Club, its stability and also that of the athletes that form part of it. The Club shall be working with more determination than ever to defend its legitimate rights and is ready for any new challenges that might arise."
