The Argentine is to go to court despite appealing.
FC Barcelona ace Lionel Messi is to go to court over allegations of tax evasion despite appealing to have the charges dropped.
BREAKING NEWS: Lionel Messi to go on trial for alleged Tax evasion after Spanish judge rejects appeal to drop charge #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) October 3, 2014
A Spanish judge has rejected a recommendation to drop the charges against Messi by virtue of the fact the Argentina international’s father manages his finances.
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Jorge Messi and his son are accused of defrauding the authorities more than €4m (£3.1m), which has been denied by both men.
The accusations date back to 2007 and both Messi junior and senior were questioned separately in September 2013.
The four-time Ballon d’Or winner and his dad are accused of using companies in Belize and Uruguay to sell his rights and therefore avoid tax obligations in Spain.
Messi’s defence is said to have been to pin the blame on his father and try and absolve the 27-year-old entirely of any wrongdoing.
This tactis has clearly backfired though and the Barca star will now have to defend himself against the Spanish authorities.
Since the economic crisis hit in the country a much tougher line has been taken on tax infringements.
Messi is among the highest paid and most marketable sports stars on the planet.