Messi tax evasion investigation could be extended

Spain's 'Agencia Tributaria' (Inland Revenue) could extend its investigation into Leo Messi to 2010, 2011 and 2012 if it is proved that the player also avoided paying tax on income for his image rights.

According to judicial sources, the lawsuit against the Barça star is based on his 2007 2008 and 2009 income tax returns, notwithstanding the fact that the case against him could be extended to the following years.

The lawsuit is against Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, who the Barcelona Economic Crimes Prosecutor accused of defrauding more than €4 million, by simulating the transfer of the player's image rights to holding companies based in tax havens.

The lawsuit is currently on a table at the magistrate court in Gavá (Barcelona), which has not yet decided if it will be processed, and has therefore not summoned the player or his father to declare in court.

Once the current tax year is over, the 'Agencia Tributaria' will be able to do a more thorough investigation into 2010, 2011 and 2012 in order to check if the player continued to omit earnings from his image rights in his income tax declaration.