Lionel Messi News: 'La Pulga' Under Investigation For Fraud During Charity Matches In Mexico, Colombia, Peru

The Argentine striker, Lionel Messi, is being investigated for charity matches he organized tor raise money for "Messi and his friends against the rest of the world." he anti-money laundering unit of the Guardia Civil is investigating five wire transfers amounting to almost a million euros from the organizers ofat least two charity matches for "Messi and his friends against the rest of the world," according to the newspaper El Pais. Researchers have opened proceedings for the alleged crimes of money laundering and tax fraud.

The money transfers in question were made by the Argentinian Barcelona player were 2012 and 2013, and were made to a company located in the tax haven of Curacao (the Dutch Antilles in the southeastern Caribbean), according to the Madrid newspaper. In the receipts of the transfers the recipient is listed as 'G. Marín-Messi.' Guillermo Marin is a personal friend of Lionel Messi and Messi trusted Mr. Marin in managing the charity matches during this period.

Both the player and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, acknowledge friendship with Guillermo Marin and his efforts in those games. "He is an Argentine businessman I have known since 2006 and he helps organizing matches for my Foundation," admitted Lionel Messi to authorities. Both Messi and his father have stated that there was no personal gain in those games, but the lawyer for Total Conciertos, which organized the charity match in Colombia, has submitted five documents of bank transfers which show that Messi and other players were paid for the matches.