Lionel Messi Prison Sentence for Tax Fraud Dropped to Fine by Spanish Courts

Lionel Messi's 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud has officially been reduced to a €252,000 fine, seemingly bringing an end to the Barcelona man's lengthy battle with the Spanish courts. 

Per BBC News, Messi was never likely to serve the sentence―Spanish prison sentences under two years are completed as probation for first-time offenders―but he and his father won't have to worry about that any longer.

Per the report, his father Jorge was given a €180,000 fine instead of his original 15-month prison sentence.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Spanish media first reported the possibility Messi's sentence could be lightened last month, noting Messi had an appeal rejected by the Spanish Supreme Court, per BBC News.

Messi and his father were found guilty of defrauding the Spanish government to the tune of €4.1m million between 2007 and 2009. The two hid taxes payable on image rights in Belize and Uruguay, per the report.

They made a payment of €5 million in 2013, and that move may have led to the lighter punishment.