Investigation Into Lionel Messi's Tax Payments Could Expand To Include 2010-12

Spain's tax agency "may expand an investigation" of Lionel Messi that has already led to charges against Messi, according to the EFE. Messi "stands accused of defrauding the Spanish state" of some $5.5M in taxes on income from endorsements that he allegedly failed to report on his '07, '08 and '09 tax returns (EFE, 6/17). FOOTBALL ESPANA reported the tax authorities' investigation into Messi's alleged fraud "could include activity up until" '12. Messi and his father were last week the subject of a lawsuit filed by tax authorities. The investigation for civil and criminal responsibility over the sale of Messi's image rights to third parties may be extended through '10, '11 and '12 once the current tax year has ended (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 6/18).