Lionel Messi ‘given 21-month jail term’ in Spain

Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax fraud, Spanish media say.

His father, Jorge Messi, was also given a jail term for defrauding Spain of €4.1m (£3.2m; $4.6m) between 2007 and 2009.

During the trial, prosecutors said tax havens in Belize and Uruguay were used to conceal earnings from image rights.

But Lionel Messi said he ‘knew nothing’ about his financial affairs.