Due to the Spanish system (since the sentence is two years or under), the Messis will not be expected to serve any jail time, though they may serve probation instead.
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Messi and his dad stood pleaded not guilty at last month’s trial with the Barcelona forward insisting he has no knowledge of his financial dealings.
The 29-year-old – who received the backing of Barca following the ruling – and his father Jorge were both given the same prison sentences for the offence, with the former Argentina global fined €2million for three counts of tax fraud and his dad penalised €1.7m.
“FC Barcelona continues to be at the disposition of Leo Messi and his family to support him in whatever action he decides to take in defense of his honesty and his legal interests”, it said.
Barcelona star Messi was found guilty of defrauding Spain’s tax authority of €4.1 million between 2007 and 2009.
A Spanish court sentenced Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi to 21 months in prison on Wednesday morning for three counts of tax fraud, the BBCreported.
The club said that it “considers that the player (.) is in no way criminally responsible with regards to the facts underlined in this case”.
The Argentinian global recently retired from the national team following a defeat to Chile in the Copa America Centenario final, although fans still hope for his return.
Both defendants have around five days to appeal to the Supreme Court, the Barcelona court said in its statement.
Messi, who has won eight La Liga titles, four King’s Cups and four Champions League crowns with Barcelona, said last month he was quitting global soccer.
Earlier this year, Javier Mascherano was handed a suspended one-year prison sentence for not paying all his taxes for 2011 and 2012.
The prosecutors had called for jail sentences for the Messis, who both denied any wilful wrongdoing.
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Forbes ranked Messi as the second-highest paid athlete on the planet, earning an estimated $81.4 million past year through his salary and various endorsement deals.
