Soccer superstar, Lionel Messi, and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, have both been sentenced to 21-months in prison for tax fraud in Spain, although it is unlikely either will have to serve any time.
Under Spanish law, any tax evasion sentence that is under two years can be served via probation so as long as they can stay out of trouble they'll avoid any jail time.
Messi and his dad were found guilty of evading more than $4 million in tax payments from 2007-2009; the Barcelona star will have to pay roughly $2.2 million in fines, and his father will also be hit with a fine of about $1.6 million.
"FC Barcelona gives all its support to Leo Messi and his father with relation to the sentence for tax evasion handed out by the Provincial Court in Barcelona today," the statement read. "The Club, in agreement with the Government prosecution service, considers that the player, who has corrected his position with the Spanish Tax Office, is in no way criminally responsible with regards to the facts underlined in this case.
"FC Barcelona continues to be at the disposal of Leo Messi and his family to support him in whatever action he decides to take in defence of his honesty and his legal interests."
[Via]