Messi charity fraud charges dropped

A judge in Barcelona has opted to drop charges against Lionel Messi and his charity foundation relating to allegations of tax fraud.

A Barcelona judge has dropped charges against Lionel Messi relating to alleged tax fraud in charity matches.

A report in September released by El Pais claimed that charity games in Peru and Chicago in 2012 and 2013 — billed as "Messi and his friends vs. the Rest of the World" and "The Battle of the Stars" — were used to defraud Spain's tax office.

Spanish authorities launched an investigation but, following witness statements given by match organizer Guillermo Javier Martin, a judge has ruled that there is no evidence to support claims that Messi or his charity…