By Andrew Warshaw
December 17 – Already embroiled in a tax evasion case that has clouded his image, Lionel Messi, through his representatives, has fiercely denied allegations in a Spanish newspaper that his father is suspected of being involved in helping to launder Colombian drug money.
Leo Messi Management (LMM), whose president is the 26-year-old Argentine international’s father, Jorge, has urged El Mundo to correct claims that he collaborated with the gang as an intermediary.
“Jorge Messi has never been connected to the case,” LMM said in a statement. “He has not been investigated or called to testify, much less charged.
“We hope that the newspaper El Mundo will correct the published story in line with the information released by the Interior Ministry.”
Spanish authorities have revealed that a Colombian promoter is suspected of laundering drug money through concerts and charity football matches in South America and the United States but that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by Messi, his family or other players, including several from Barcelona, who featured in the games.
In a front-page report El Mundo claimed Jorge was implicated with the cartel which allegedly exploited last summer’s Messi & Friends tour. The paper claimed Messi Snr. could have picked up 10-20% of the profits, netting him around €2 million.
Messi is currently out injured but is hoping to win a fifth world player of the year award next month. El Mundo insists that at no time did they suggest Jorge Messi had been charged but Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said neither Messi nor his family were under any kind of investigation whatsoever.
“Rumours cause damage when they are true but when they are not true they should not cause damage,” said Martino.
In September, Messi and his father appeared in court to face charges of evading €4.2 million in tax by filing incomplete returns for the years 2006 to 2009, allegations they deny but which have caused widespread consternation in Spain. Both had already paid €5 million in back taxes.
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