Lionel Messi sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax evasion

The Barcelona Provincial Court ruled that Messi and his father, Jorge Messi, had committed three counts of tax fraud that were punishable with 21 months (one year and 9 months) in prison, reports Efe.

In Spanish law, it is not mandatory for a first offender to go to prison if the sentence is under two years.

The sentence can be appealed before the Spanish Supreme Court.