Barcelona star Lionel Messi and his father Jorge are to both stand trial for three counts of tax fraud against the Spanish tax authorities with the state attorney demanding a 22-month prison sentence, according to court documents made public on Thursday.

Messis Sr and Jr are each accused of defrauding Spain's tax office of €4.1 million ($4.5m) in unpaid taxes from 2007-09.

Earlier this week it was reported that Barcelona prosecutors had cleared the Blaugrana player, alleging that he had been unaware of actions taken on his behalf by his father. However, Spanish news agency EFE and France-based agency AFP are among the outlets reporting that this move has been over-ruled by a higher state authority and the case will progress as before.

Spanish sports daily AS and news agency Reuters report that prosecutors will push for the full 22-month sentence for the pair when the trial is held at the Vilanova i la Geltru district in Barcelona.