Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax fraud.

His father, Jorge Messi was also given a jail term for defrauding Spain of $4.5m euros between 2007 and 2009.

They also face millions of euros in fines for using tax havens in Belize and Uruguay to conceal earnings from image rights.

However, neither of them are expected to serve time in jail.

Under the Spanish system, prison terms of under two years can be served under probation.

Apart from the jail terms, Messi was fined about $2m euros and his father $1.5m euros.


Source : BBC