A judge in Barcelona has rejected an appeal by Lionel Messi to have the star's name stricken as a suspect in three tax-evasion cases, AS reported.
The judge said that Messi could have been aware of the actions of his father, Jorge Horatio Messi, who manages the player’s funds and acts as his representative.
The judge has also rejected Messi’s request to have a few Barcelona executives called as witnesses in the case.
The Messis are accused of failing to pay more than 4 million Euros in taxes. They both deny these charges.
Messi’s father apparently made a 5 million Euro payment in August 2013 to Spanish tax authorities, which, if true, would cover the amount of tax owed plus interest.
The Messis have five days to appeal the decision.
