Messi may face six year jail term if convicted of alleged tax evasion

Four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi would soon face trial for alleged tax evasion, a Spanish judge has ruled and might face a six year jail term if convicted.

According to the BBC, the judge discarded a recommendation for prosecution to drop charges on the grounds that the player's father was responsible for his finances.

Messi and his father are accused of defrauding the authorities of more than four million euros. The pair has five days to appeal against the ruling.

Messi and his father are suspected of avoiding Spanish tax by using companies in Belize and Uruguay to sell rights to use the footballer's image.