Messi's father, Jorge, accused of being involved in laundering drug money
Management agency says Barcelona star's dad is not a crook and has not been charged
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi's agents denied a Spanish newspaper allegation that his father was suspected of being involved in laundering Colombian drug money through charity soccer matches.
Leo Messi Management (LMM), whose president is the 26-year-old Argentine international's father, Jorge Messi, urged Spanish daily El Mundo to correct the story.
"Jorge Messi has never been connected to the case," LMM said. "He has not been investigated or called to testify, much less charged," it added.
"We hope that the newspaper El Mundo will correct the published story in line with the information released by the Interior Ministry," it said.
Jorge Messi has never been connected to the case. He has not been investigated or called to testify
Spain's police and the Interior Ministry said a Colombian promoter was suspected of laundering drug money through concerts and sporting events in Spain, South America and the United States.
But they said there was no evidence of wrongdoing by Messi, his family or other players who featured in charity soccer matches organised by the Colombian promoter at the centre of the affair.