Cape Town - Lionel Messi is set to stand trial for his role in an alleged tax fraud after losing an appeal to avoid him attending court.
A Barcelona High Court ruled that Messi must stand trial, reports El Pais.
The court's decision was made public on Wednesday.
The court found against Messi and believes that there was enough evidence to show that the Barcelona star “benefited” from a network of companies allegedly set up to allow the Argentine to defraud the the Spanish Tax Agency of €4.1 million.
Messi, along with his father, remain under investigation for three counts of tax fraud occuring from 2007-2009.