DHAKA: The trial of Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi on tax fraud charges has begun in Spain.

Messi and his father Jorge, who manages his financial affairs, are accused of defrauding Spain of more than €4m between 2007 and 2009, BBC reports on Tuesday (May 31).

The authorities alleged that the two used tax havens in Belize and Uruguay to conceal earnings from image rights.

The Spanish tax agency has demanded heavy fines and prison sentences. However, they denied any wrongdoing.

The trial is expected to last for three days, with Messi to come out in court on Thursday.

Moreover, the income related to Messi's image rights, including contracts with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter and Gamble, and the Kuwait Food Company.

BDST: 1735 HRS, May 31, 2016
SAS/AKA