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'I just played football' - Messi denies knowledge of tax fraud in court

Related Topics: Lionel Messi, Tax evasion, Court

Lionel Messi has told a court in Barcelona he was unaware of being involved in any fraudulent financial dealings.

Lionel Messi has denied knowledge of any wrongdoing while testifying in a tax case at the Eighth Court of Barcelona.

Messi and his father, Jorge, have been charged with three counts of tax fraud worth 4.1 million euros ($4.57 million), dating back to a period from 2007 to 2009.

Proceedings began on Tuesday but the Barcelona forward arrived to testify in person on Thursday, just four days before he is due to represent Argentina in the Copa America Centenario in the United States.