Lionel Messi Appears In Spanish Court To Defend Himself Against Tax Evasion Allegations

Lionel Messi "appeared in a Spanish court on Friday to defend himself" against allegations of evading €4.2M ($5.7M) of taxes "related to the four-time world player of the year’s image rights and sponsorships," according to Miles Johnson of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Messi "arrived at a closed court session in the Catalan city of Gavà to be greeted by cheering supporters, as well as the odd cry of 'thief' from the crowd before entering the courthouse to testify." Messi, often celebrated as a hero in his adopted Catalonia, "has denied the alleged offences alongside his father, which are said to have taken place between 2007 and 2009" (FT, 9/27).