Barcelona court replaces Lionel Messi’s prison sentence with $290,000 fine

Barcelona, July 7 – A regional court on Friday decided to substitute the 21-month prison sentence given to FC Barcelona’s star forward Lionel Messi for tax evasion with a fine.

The Barcelona court said it had made its ruling, which imposed a 252,000-euro ($287,575) fine on the Argentine player, following a recommendation by the prosecution, reports Efe.

Messi had been convicted of three tax crimes with a seven-month prison sentence handed to him for each count.

The decision replaced each of the 630 days of imprisonment with a fine of 400 euros ($456.28).