Spain's Supreme Court has upheld the 21 month prison sentence handed to Leo Messi for tax fraud offences totalling 4.1 million euros.

In the case of his father, Jorge Messi, the sentence was reduced to 15 months of jail time due to being considered a cooperator in the offence, according to the court.

However, tax offences with sentences of less than two years in Spain carry suspended sentences, so neither is likely to go to prison.

The Supreme Criminal Chamber announced its decision on Wednesday, May 24, confirming the sentence of 21 months in prison imposed on FC Barcelona striker Leo Messi for defrauding 4.1 million over three tax offenses.

The Supreme Court dismissed in its entirety the Argentine's appeal which had been filed on July 5, 2016.

However, in the same sentence, they decided to address the appeal in the case of the player's father, Jorge Messi, reducing his sentence from 21 months to 15, as a necessary cooperator in the fraud.

The tax crimes for which Messi has been tried and convicted occurred between 2007 and 2009 and were related to his image rights.