A regional court on Friday decided to substitute the 21-month prison sentence given to FC Barcelona's star forward Lionel Messi for tax evasion with a fine.

The Barcelona court said it had made its ruling, which imposed a $287,575 (Dh1,056,262) fine on the Argentine player, following a recommendation by the prosecution, reports Efe.

Messi had been convicted of three tax crimes with a seven-month prison sentence handed to him for each count.

The decision replaced each of the 630 days of imprisonment with a fine of $456.28 (Dh1,675)

Source: Khaleej Times