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ESPN FC Lionel Messi, Tax Evasion ESPN FC Specialist? -Gregory Keogh It is no secret that Barcelona plays home to the world’s greatest footballer, of whom is Argentina native, Lionel Messi. At the age of 28, Messi’s career is one that could only emulate that of the legendary status Michael Jordan holds. The only catch is, when speaking of Messi’s career, his is far from over. His abilities far exceed any other player’s from his generation. Ray Hudson, former professional football player and coach and current BeIN Sport commentator, often compares Messi’s technique along with his consistent form to that of a magician. While all the fame and fortune have personified this ‘magisterial’ football messiah’s talent, behind closed doors lies a secret that even Messi himself was not aware of. Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge, have been accused of tax fraud totaling €4m and will stand trial in the country of Spain, according to a recent court ruling. The Barcelona star player has held firm that he had absolutely no knowledge of the alleged tax fraud with public backing from his father, Jorge. Recent court filings show that “there are rational signs that the criminality was committed by both accused parties.” Although Messi and his father deny any wrongdoing, a “voluntary corrective payment of €5m, equal to the alleged unpaid tax plus interest in August 2013.” Prosecutors say “Messi senior [Jorge] was responsible for diverting money to companies in Belize, the UK, Switzerland, and Uruguay,“ in deceit of local [Spain] authorities. While Lionel’s lawyers are “still preparing a response to the charges” for the next court hearing, their main focus must be on minimizing punishment for the world renown footballer and his family, as the maximum prison sentence equals five years in jail. The time frame of the legal proceedings is unknown however it is certain all of the proceedings
will take place in Spain and not in the countries in which the alleged “off-shore” diversions were set up. With a maximum prison sentence of five years in jail and Messi being the cultural and worldly icon he is, it is hard to imagine the amount of
File courtesy: Metro UK. (2014, Nov. 22). Lionel Messi breaks yet another record as Barcelona star becomes La Liga’s all-time top goal scorer [Image]. Retrieved from https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/1400x99421e1416688850106.jpg.
social/public uproar, as well as financial problems for an already depreciating Spanish economy confining him would bring forth. Supporting the cultural impact, David Blake, a professor of English at the College of New Jersey, says “celebrities have become carriers of cultural meaning,” and that we “increasingly come to rely on them…to have discourse about what matters to our society.” Alternatively, Christopher Hack, a London-based freelance writer suggests that the Spanish government is to blame with “increased taxes in order to balance their books” with nothing to show for the “slashing economic growth” caused by these changes. Lionel Messi has become used to running circles around defenders for many years, so let us see how the Argentine handles being on defense.
will take place in Spain and not in the countries in which the alleged “off-shore” diversions were set up. With a maximum prison sentence of five years in jail and Messi being the cultural and worldly icon he is, it is hard to imagine the amount of
File courtesy: Metro UK. (2014, Nov. 22). Lionel Messi breaks yet another record as Barcelona star becomes La Liga’s all-time top goal scorer [Image]. Retrieved from https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/1400x99421e1416688850106.jpg.
social/public uproar, as well as financial problems for an already depreciating Spanish economy confining him would bring forth. Supporting the cultural impact, David Blake, a professor of English at the College of New Jersey, says “celebrities have become carriers of cultural meaning,” and that we “increasingly come to rely on them…to have discourse about what matters to our society.” Alternatively, Christopher Hack, a London-based freelance writer suggests that the Spanish government is to blame with “increased taxes in order to balance their books” with nothing to show for the “slashing economic growth” caused by these changes. Lionel Messi has become used to running circles around defenders for many years, so let us see how the Argentine handles being on defense.
