Lionel Messi Accused Of Tax Fraud

A Spanish prosecutor has formally filed a complaint against Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and his father, accusing the two of submitting fraudulent tax returns for four years.

According to a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, Messi and his father Jorge defrauded the state of more than $5.3 million from 2006-2009. The complaint was filed in Gava, outside Barcelona, where Messi lives.

Exact figures are hard to come by, but reports had Messi's 2009 Barcelona contract paying him $14 million a year, and a 2012 raise paying him $16 million annually.

[ Reuters, h/t @TheBaumer]