Spanish tax officials said on April 4 they are investigating accusations of tax irregularities involving international soccer star Lionel Messi after the massive Mossack Fonseca data leak from Panama.
Messi’s family released a statement claiming they are not guilty of any wrongdoing. They also threatened to hit media outlets with a lawsuit if they released information that linked the Barcelona player to accounts in Panama.
According to the the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the Panama Papers include the names of almost 20 well-known soccer players, current and former, from clubs like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Real Madrid.
Messi is one of them.
The Argentine soccer player has already been charged with three counts of tax fraud alongside his father, for allegedly defrauding Spain’s tax office of $4.6 million in unpaid taxes during the years 2007 to 2009. They are accused of using offshore companies in Belize and Uruguay. Messi and his father are due to appear in court in May, and if found guilty, may face two years in prison.
