Barcelona have expressed their support for Lionel Messi following the Spanish Supreme Court's decision to reject his appeal against a suspended 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud.
The Argentina international was handed the jail term last July after being found guilty – alongside his father Jorge – of three counts of tax fraud relating to earnings from image rights which was deemed to have defrauded Spain of €4.1million between 2007 and 2009.
Messi's appeal against the verdict has now been turned down, but Barcelona stick by their star player and his family.
"The club reiterates, once again, its full support for Leo Messi, his father Jorge Messi, and his family," spokesman Josep Vives said.
"Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu contacted the player's family to communicate this support.
"The family was very grateful, not only for the gesture, but also for the support the player and his family have received from the club throughout this process.
"The club will continue to stand with Leo Messi, his father, and his family."
