Lionel Messi has been ordered to face trial in court after losing an appeal to have the case against him for alleged tax evasion thrown out.
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The Barcelona star and his father, Jorge, have been accused of dodging €4.1 million (Dh17m) in tax between 2007 and 2009, using off-shore bank accounts to hide income from commercial deals.
The allegations were first made two years ago, leading to Messi senior and junior both appearing in court in September 2013, when they argued that the Argentine star should be exempt from the inquiry because he was not aware of his financial affairs, allowing his father to manage his contracts.
Messi senior also made a payment of €5m (Dh20.7m) to cover the outstanding amount plus interest in a hope of ending the case, but the Madrid-based tax authorities are still pursuing their claim, which could see both father and son face a fine of €20m (Dh83.2m) and a one-year suspended jail sentence. The date for the trial has not yet been set.
Barca star Dani Alves, meanwhile, has admitted that his off the pitch relationship with Messi was one of the reasons he decided to sign a new two-year deal to stay at the Nou Camp.
Alves had been expected to leave the club on a free transfer when his contract expired at the end of June, but he performed a sudden about-turn and put pen to paper on Tuesday.
Explaining his decision to stay, Alves said: “Leo told me ‘Dani, stay, where are you going to find a better club than here?’.”
The Brazilian star admitted that he had also been taken aback by the affection shown to him by Barca fans during Sunday’s trophy parade in the city.
The festivities concluded at the Nou Camp, where Alves gave what appeared to be a farewell speech which prompted thousands of fans to chant for him to stay.
“As I have said on many occasions, I am only at the places where I feel loved. For a few moments I had doubted it but on Sunday it was very clear to me that the people love me. That was one of the things that made me stay.”
Alves also believes he can overcome the difficulties in his relationship with the club’s hierarchy which led to him blasting the board for a “lack of respect” last month.
“It was not a fight between Dani and the club,” he said. “It was not a matter of financial understanding because if it was for money I would not be at this club. I was not feeling comfortable but people have showed that they value me. I want to continue making history.”
