Tax fraud charges against Lionel Messi dropped

Spain's public prosecutor has dropped the tax fraud charges against Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

However, the player's father Jorge Messi will reportedly stand trail over allegations that the Spanish authorities were defrauded of £3.1m.

Prosecutors allege that Jorge dodged payments on his son's earnings between 2007 and 2009 by using offshore companies. They are pursing an 18-month prison sentence and a £1.47m fine.

The income relates to the Argentina international's image rights, including deals with Adidas, Pepsi-Cola and Procter and Gamble.

Messi and his father made a voluntary €5m payment, equal to the alleged unpaid tax plus interest, as a 'corrective measure' in August 2013.