MADRID: A Spanish prosecutor has demanded a jail term of 21 months for Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi in a tax evasion case in which his father is also implicated.

Messi and his father Jorge Horacio Messi have been committed for trial on charges concerning the evasion of €4.1m income tax over three years between 2007 and 2009. The offences also carry possible prison terms.

Initially the prosecution had accused only Messi Sr of a criminal offence but the court has ruled that the player himself bears responsibility for being in full knowledge of the offences.

Therefore the prosecution has recommended one year and nine months in prison for Messi on the basis of seven months by each of the three offences plus a fine of €4.1m.

Messi will face trial in the Vilanova criminal court in Barcelona.

The court judged “there are reasonable indications of responsibility in respect of both defendants for the crime. ”

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