Messi to swap suspended jail term for fine

Spanish prosecutors have agreed to swap Lionel Messi’s 21-month suspended prison sentence for tax fraud for a fine.

According to El Mundo, Messi will pay €255,000 as fine.

The Barcelona star was found guilty of three counts of tax fraud along with his father.

A lack of previous offence coupled with the fact that Messi and his father agreed to pay the €4.1 million evaded tax between 2007 and 2009 had earlier earned them a soft landing.

Under Spanish laws, a prison sentence of two years (and below) can be served under probation.

Messi lost his appeal against the 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud in May but his father’s sentence was reduced to 15 months.