Spanish Court Drops Tax Fraud Probe Into Lionel Messi Friendlies
Lionel Messi was being investigated of possible tax offenses over friendly games held between June 16, 2012 and July 6, 2013 in the United States, Mexico, Colombia and Peru.
- Associated Press
- Updated: December 14, 2015 11:11 PM IST
![Spanish Court Drops Tax Fraud Probe Into Lionel Messi Friendlies](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/content/2015/jun/806/lionel-messi-0106.jpg)
A Spanish court has dropped a tax fraud investigation into Lionel Messi and his foundation linked to six friendly matches. (Lionel Messi, Father to Appear in Court on Tax Fraud Charges)
A Barcelona court said on Monday it was satisfied neither the Argentinian footballer nor the Lionel Messi Foundation were involved in trying to defraud Spain's tax office in this instance. (Lionel Messi Faces Trial Over Rs 30 Crore Tax Fraud)
Spain's prosecutor had asked the court to investigate possible tax offenses over games held between June 16, 2012 and July 6, 2013 in the United States, Mexico, Colombia and Peru.
A judge had taken testimony from businessman Guillermo Javier Marin, who organised the matches, Monday's statement said.
The statement said Marin had presented the judge with a "coherent explanation" relating to wire transfers totaling USD 1.37 million.
This is one of three cases of unpaid taxes that Messi has had to face.