Barca's Messi, father face trial on tax fraud charges

Barcelona's soccer player Lionel Messi (C) gives a thumbs up as he leaves after answering charges of tax evasion in a court in Gava September 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea

MADRID (Reuters) - A Spanish court has ordered Lionel Messi and his father Jorge to stand trial in a tax fraud case and the state attorney said Barcelona's star player should serve a jail sentence of up to 22 months if found guilty.

The two men are accused of defrauding the Spanish state of 4.2 million euros ($4.5 million) in tax from 2007 to 2009.