Spanish politician Alberto Garzon believes that Barcelona star Lionel Messi will escape prison, even if he is found guilty of tax evasion.
The Argentina international and his father Jorge have been accused of withholding £3.1m in unpaid taxes from the Spanish authorities between 2007 and 2009.
Garzon believes that Messi will escape a jail term and will instead be handed a fine because of his status, but insists that the footballer deserves 'just' punishment if found guilty.
"In this country, if your name's Messi, and you pay whatever money's necessary and negotiate with [Cristobal Montoro's] ministry [of finance], you don't go to prison," Marca quotes Garzon as saying. "That's not justice - it's unworthy of the name."
Both Messi and his father have denied any wrongdoing.
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
