Report: Messi Makes $13M Payment In Response To Accusations Of Tax Fraud

Lionel Messi, who is currently facing accusations of tax fraud, has paid an "additional" €10M ($13M) in taxes, according to Sergio Heredia of LA VANGUARDIA. This payment "indicates that Messi is seeking an agreement with Spanish tax authorities regarding the quantities being demanded from him for taxes owed from '07-09."  Messi and his father, Jorge, are due to appear at a court hearing in Gava, Spain on Sept. 17 in relation to claims the pair had "illegally rerouted image-rights revenues through offshore tax havens to avoid paying taxes due in Spain" (LA VANGUARDIA, 6/24). BLOOMBERG'S Alex Duff reported Spanish tax authority spokesperson Luis Gonzalez said that "he was unable to comment on individual cases." Leo Messi Management Commercial Dir Pablo Negre "didn't immediately return a call and e-mail seeking comment on the newspaper report" (BLOOMBERG, 6/24).