- Messi’s foundation was accused of fraud, embezzlement and money laundering.
- The initial complaint was dismissed by a Barcelona court in September.
- A high court in Madrid has decided to reopen the case this week.
According to ESPN, a case of fraud charges against Lionel Messi’s charity organisation has been reopened by a Spanish court this week.
Federico Rettori, a former employee of the Leo Messi Foundation, accused the non-profit organisation of fraud, embezzlement and money laundering, in a Barcelona court in September. The complaint was dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
A high court in Madrid has decided to reopen the case this week.
On dismissed complaint in September, a Barcelona judge wrote: “It was based on an account put together from stories in the press, without bringing even a single element that was personally and directly known.”
Messi, who won his sixth Ballon d’Or on Monday, says the only time he ever thought about leaving Barca was in 2014 due problems with the Spanish Tax Agency.
“It was not because of a reason linked to football but a personal one,” he told France Football. “I experienced a difficult moment (with the Spanish tax authorities, 5 years ago), but I succeeded in moving past it thanks to the support of people in Barcelona and the club.
“It allowed me to continue here. It is just that the moment that I announced that, I did not feel comfortable in Spain, nothing more.”
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