Lionel Messi summoned over Spain tax fraud

A Spanish judge has summoned Barcelona's Argentine footballer Lionel Messi to appear in court on 17 September over tax fraud allegations.

The 25-year-old, who has four times been named World Player of the Year, and his father are accused of defrauding the Spanish authorities of more than four million euros (£3.4m).

They are suspected of using companies abroad - in Belize and Uruguay - to sell the rights to use Messi's image.

They both deny the allegations.

Lionel Messi's net salary from Barcelona is said to be around 16m euros a year, making him one of the world's most highly-paid sportspeople.

He has also signed multi-million-dollar endorsements with commercial sponsors around the world.

The player and his father are accused of three times defrauding the Spanish state of taxes related to income from the use of his image.

If he is convicted, Messi could face up to six years in prison and a big fine, according to Spain's EFE news agency.

He wrote on his Facebook page, after the allegations became known last week: "We have never committed any infringement. We have always fulfilled all our tax obligations".

Messi is due lined up to play a prominent role in the Adidas World Cup marketing campaign.

Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer has told reporters that the company "will continue to work with Lionel. He's the best football player in the world", he said, "and we are happy that we have him".-BBC