Lionel Messi’s attempt to clear his name failed after the Spanish Supreme Court upheld the Barcelona star’s 21-month prison sentence for conviction of tax fraud. Messi isn’t expected to serve any jail time, however.
Last year, Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, were found guilty of defrauding tax authorities of €4.1 million in taxes. In Spain, sentences that fall under two years in duration can be served on probation, which is expected to be the case for Messi and his father.
The court also upheld the fines levied against both men, which included a €2 million fine for the Barcelona forward.