Lionel Messi: Barcelona ask fans to support forward after he was found guilty of tax fraud

Barcelona have set up a campaign in support of Lionel Messi after the forward was found guilty of tax fraud.

Messi and his father Jorge were both sentenced to 21 months in jail each by a Spanish court earlier this week.

They will appeal against the decision after being found guilty of defrauding Spain of 4.1m euros from 2007 to 2009.

Neither man is expected to serve any time in jail and Barcelona have launched a social media campaign urging fans to show "unconditional support".

Barcelona announced the campaign on their Twitter account

Lionel Messi: Barcelona ask fans to support forward after he was found guilty of tax fraud

A club statement said: "Using the hashtag #WeAreAllLeoMessi while posting a photo or message with both hands open, the campaign is encouraging all Barça fans to express their sympathy for the greatest footballer in the world by voicing their unconditional support on social networks.

"By making it clear that #WeAreAllMessi, we want Leo to know that he is not alone. All members, supporters clubs, fans, athletes, media and everyone else are invited to participate."

The 29-year-old Argentine, who has helped the club win the Champions League four times and La Liga on eight occasions, was also fined 2m euros (£1.7m), while his father was fined 1.5m euros.

Under the Spanish legal system, prison terms of under two years can be served under probation.
The pair were found guilty of using tax havens in Belize and Uruguay to conceal earnings from image rights.