Messi indicted for tax evasion

(ANSA) - Rome, October 3 - 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.