Lionel Messi tax fraud trial in Spain set to start in May

MADRID -- Lionel Messi's tax fraud trial in Spain

has been set for May 31-June 3, conflicting with

the start of the centennial Copa America in the

United States.



The Copa America Centenario will kick off on June

3, meaning the five-time world player of the year

may not make it in time for Argentina's opening

game.



The full Copa America schedule won't be known

until the draw on Feb. 21, but Messi's lawyers are

expected to try to change the trial dates.



The Barcelona forward is already expected to

have a shorter preparation ahead of the

tournament if his side reaches the Champions

League final, which is scheduled for May 28 in

Milan.



Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, have

been charged with three counts of tax fraud and

could be sentenced to nearly two years in prison

if found guilty.



They are accused of defrauding Spain's tax office

of €4.1 million ($4.4m) in unpaid taxes from

2007-09.



The case is centered on the alleged unlawful

activities of Messi's father, but authorities said the

Barcelona player knew enough to also merit being

named in the case.



The attorney's office called for a prison sentence

of 22 months and 15 days for Messi and his

father, along with a fine in the amount defrauded,

payment of all legal proceedings and the loss of

any possible tax benefits for a year and a half.



The high-profile case has been taken as Spain's

tax authorities maintain that image rights

payments made to the player have been

channelled through offshore tax-havens, leading

to the evasion of €4.1m in taxes between 2007

and 2009.



Since news of the issue broke during the summer

of 2013, the Messis have reportedly paid €5m to

the authorities, to cover money owed from the

2007 to 2009 period, plus interest.



They are also

reported to have paid €10m in taxes due on such income for the years 2010 and 2011.