FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and his father appeared at a Spanish court on Friday to answer to tax fraud allegations.
However, the Argentine striker’s lawyer, Cristobal Martell, said the player had shown a “total willingness’’ to co-operate with the judiciary.
The 26-year-old player and his father, Jorge Messi, are accused of defrauding the Spanish state of 4.1 million euros (5.5 million dollars) in publicity income between 2007 and 2009.
They both deny the allegations.
“During questioning at the court in Gava near Barcelona, Messi and his father had shown no will to defraud.
“They also showed a great willingness to regularise their relations with the tax authorities,’’ Messi’s lawyer said.
“The family will not start quarrelling with the Spanish state over how tax regulations should be interpreted,’’ he added.
According to media reports, Messi’s father has paid the tax authorities millions of euros since the fraud allegations came up.
“He said his son had nothing to do with the affair and only dedicated himself to playing football,’’ the reports said.
At the court, Messi was questioned for about 15 minutes.
On entering and leaving court, the four-time World Footballer of the Year smiled at applauding fans.
However, only some isolated voices could be heard shouting abusive words.
