Lionel Messi, one of the world's most famous athletes, is mired in legal troubles as he and his father will be tried for €4.1 million (or $4.6 million) tax fraud.
The charges allege that Messi's father used companies set up in Belize and Uruguay to sell rights to Messi's image in 2007, 2008 and 2009, allowing the player to bypass paying income tax in Spain, where Messi plays professionally for FC Barcelona.
The Barcelona Provincial High Court on Wednesday turned down Messi's appeal, ruling there was enough evidence to prove he benefitted from the alleged scheme even if he wasn't aware of it. The presiding judge ruled: "In this type of crime, it is not necessary for someone to have complete knowledge of all the accounting and business operations nor the exact quantity, rather it is sufficient to be aware of the designs to commit fraud and consent to them."
The four-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner (for "World Player of the Year"), who is renowned for his exquisite ball-handling skills and highlight-reel goals, denies any wrongdoing. The Guardian reports that his father, Jorge Messi, made a payment of €5 million last August, covering the alleged €4.1 million plus interest.
Despite strife off the pitch, Messi and Barça have proved to still be highly successful on it, capturing titles this year for the Spanish La Liga, the annual Copa del Rey and this year's Champions League.
If found guilty, both Messi and his father could face fines upwards of €21 million and a one-year suspended prison sentence.