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The 29-year-old reportedly has also been fined more than $2 million (1.7 million Euros) for three counts of tax fraud. His father is believed to have been handed the same prison sentence and a smaller fine of close to $1.6 million.
Under Spanish law, neither Messi nor his father would be required to spend any time in prison if the sentence is shorter than two years.
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Messi and his father were accused of defrauding Spanish authorities by failing to pay taxes on image rights in 2007, 2008 and 2009. They have the right to appeal the sentence.
