Barcelona and Argentina star
Lionel Messi is to face trial for alleged tax evasion, a Spanish
judge ruled Friday.
The judge rejected a prosecution recommendation to drop the
charges on the grounds the player's father was responsible for
his finances.
Messi and his father Jorge are accused of defrauding the
authorities of more than 4 million euros ($5m).
The pair, who deny wrongdoing, have five days to appeal
against the ruling.
It is alleged that they withheld the money between 2007 and
2009.
The income related to Messi's image rights, including
contracts with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola,
Proctor and Gamble, and the Kuwait Food Company.
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