Tuesday 5 April 2016

Spanish Tax Authorities Investigating Lionel Messi Over Offshore Accounts

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel 'Leo' Messi inaugurates the Adidas store on February 19, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain.Spanish tax authorities said on Monday that they are investigating allegations of tax irregularities involving soccer player Lionel Messi after documents released by an International probe of offshore accounts in Panama were revealed.
Messi's family have however released a statement denying any wrongdoing and threatened to sue media outlets that released the information linking the Argentine player to accounts in Panama. Barcelona, has also come out to say it is supporting Messi and his family.
The soccer star, was among those named in reports by international media who received a vast trove of data and documents leaked from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, which specializes in creating offshore accounts that allegedly can be used to avoid tax.
It should also be recalled that the Spanish tax authorities, charged Messi alongside his father for tax fraud, defrauding Spain's tax office of  € 4.1 million in unpaid taxes from 2007 to 2009. Messi and his father will stand trial in late may, and possibly face nearly two years in prison if found guilty.

No comments:

Post a Comment