Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi could miss part of the Copa America Centenario after lawyers in his tax fraud trial requested to have the date moved from May 31 to June 7. The change of date could result in Messi missing part of the Copa America Centenario, which runs from June 3-26 in the USA. Argentina are set to begin their campaign against Chile on June 6.
Both Messi and his father, Jorge Messi, have been accused of defrauding Spain’s tax office of €4.1 million in taxes from 2007 to 2009. The pair has been charged with three counts of tax fraud and could potentially face up to two years in jail if found guilty.
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The Messi family have so far denied all allegations of any wrongdoing, which was alleged by a group of investigative journalists who are looking into offshore money laundering and tax evasion.
According to the Spanish publication, El Confidencial, the Messi family is being accused of setting up a tax fraud network in Panama in order to avoid paying tax on image rights.
In a statement released by Messi Sr, the family is planning to sue El Confidencial for defamation after Lionel Messi was linked to the case.
"Lionel Messi has not participated in any of the acts in which he is being implicated," Messi Sr stated.
"The accusations saying that we have set up a new form of tax evasion and that we have created a network to launder money are false and libellous."
Barcelona have since come out in support of Messi and his family, with the family publicly backed by club president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Tuesday.
While Lionel Messi himself is unlikely to face any time behind bars, the trial could hinder his ability to play in the Copa America Centenario, which is being held to celebrate the centenary of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the Copa America. The tournament is the first Copa America to be played outside of South America and will feature all ten teams from CONMEBOL and six teams from CONCACAF.
The tournament is a special edition of the usual four-year cycle between Copa America’s and is strictly ceremonial in the fact that the winner will not receive an invitation to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, as Chile have already qualified by winning last year's Copa America.
We’re sure Messi, who was largely anonymous in Barcelona’s first leg win against Athletico Madrid, will be trying his best to stay focused on winning the Champions League and La Liga with Barcelona and keep his mind off his impending court case.
