Messi To Appeal Aecision Over Tax Evasion Trial

Lionel Messi has confirmed he will
appeal a decision by
Spanish prosecutors
stating he must stand trial over allegations of tax evasion.

The Barcelona star and his father and agent, Jorge Messi, where
accused of defrauding authorities over a tax amount totalling €4.1
million between 2006 and 2009.

It is alleged that Messi's image rights were sold by Jorge - who
assumed full responsibility when the case began -using companies in
countries like Belize and Uruguay to avoid Spanish tax
obligations.

A judge at a court in Gava, near Barcelona, determined earlier on
Friday that the 27-year-old would have to face trial over the
allegations, despite his pleas that he was neither guilty nor fully
aware of the suggested impropriety.

However, Messi has confirmed his intention to appeal the latest decision.

In a statement, the Argentina captain said: "Through this press
release I want to communicate that, after having received the order of
the court of Gava this afternoon and following the professional advice
of my solicitors, I have decided to appeal against it."

Messi and his father made a voluntary payment of just over €5m - the
total alleged amount - last year in an effort to bring the matter to a
close, but authorities have opted to pursue the case.