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Spain: Princess Cristina faces new tax probe 24/05/2013 23:25 CET Messi hits new heights as record tumbles 10/12/2012 13:21 CET Spain: Arrests and asset seizures after fuel fraud… 17/07/2012 12:33 CETArgentinian footballer Lionel Messi is being investigated by Spanish authorities for alleged tax fraud.
Along with his father, Jorge, Messi is suspected of filing fraudulent tax claims from 2006 to 2009, with a discrepancy totaling over four million euros, according to a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office for tax crimes in the Spanish region of Catalonia.
The 25-year-old, who plays for FC Barcelona, is reportedly one of the highest paid athletes in the world, and is backed by various high profile sponsors.
On top of his Barca salary of over 15 million euros a year, he pulls in about the same amount in endorsements from sponsors including Adidas, PepsiCo and P&G.
Messi – who is currently World Player of the Year – is 10th on Forbes’ latest list of top-earning athletes.
More about: Lionel Messi, Spain, Tax fraudCopyright © 2013 euronews
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