Members of a European Parliament inquiry accused FIFA and UEFA officials of being "enablers" of a corrupt system that "permits players and agents to avoid paying tax," according to Ed Aarons of the London GUARDIAN. Barcelona's social media campaign after Lionel Messi's conviction for tax fraud was described by one MEP as "immoral." Part of the European Parliament's Committee of Inquiry into money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion (PANA), the hearing was prompted by some of the accusations detailed by website Football Leaks, which alleged that "various players and managers have hidden tens of millions of euros in tax havens around the world." Last July, Messi and his father, Jorge, were sentenced to 21 months in prison after being found guilty, "with Barcelona subsequently launching a social media campaign" with the hashtag #WeAreAllLeoMessi. Belgium's Louis Michel said, "Messi was guilty and he was sanctioned. This campaign is immoral and contradicts the values promoted by FIFA." German MEP Jeppe Kofod also questioned FIFA Head of Global Transfers & Compliance Kimberly Morris. Kofod said, "You are for fair play. Shouldn't you also be for fair taxes?" PANA Committee Chair Werner Langer described the answers as "not completely satisfactory," with Michel accusing Morris of displaying "a magnificent example of double talk" (GUARDIAN, 9/27).
