‘We Are All Messi’ – Barcelona Launch Questionable Twitter Campaign To Support Superstar Over Tax Fraud Conviction

Alan Duffy

9th, July 2016

6 Comments

Barcelona have launched a bizarre and somewhat misplaced social media campaign asking fans to show their support for Lionel Messi, following his appeal against a 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud.

The Argentine superstar and his father were found guilty of tax evasion last week in Barcelona, with the courtesy finding them guilty of three counts of dodging tax amounting to a whopping 4.1m Euros.

While neither Messi or his father are likely to actually serve any of the time, they are still appealing the decision at the supreme court. Following on from this, Barcelona have decided to create a ‘#WeAreAllLeoMessi, urging fans to post photos of themselves with both hands open.

A statement from the club said:

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.

Weird.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu also took to Twitter to show his support for Messi, who has always denied the charges…

Weirder.

While it’s all well and good seeing a football club back its players, we’re not sure that such a public show of support for a multi-millionaire convicted of tax fraud is the best PR for the club.

Indeed, judging by many of the responses on Twitter, the whole thing could be a massive own-goal for the Catalan giants.

Posted in Barcelona, La Liga, Media

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6 Comments

  1. Todger Tugger says:

    Everyone who employs an accountant effectively avoids tax. Beware of being hypocritical.

    • manker says:

      I’m an accountant who regularly reads waatp.
      You’re unaware of the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion.

      • Todger Tugger says:

        i know the difference, but to the working man it is the same damn thing. if i was rich enough to afford an accountant i’d pay less tax.

  2. Tom says:

    Would the club be as supportive if he wasn’t basically the best player in the world?

  3. PetrovskyKSC says:

    barca seem pretty conceited these days, don’t they. Do they actually think they are above the law? You gotta love these people.

  4. Doji Yakubu Fada says:

    How can a club like Bacelona support a criminal offence beacause he is the best in the world?that is the are encourage frusters please let everybody do the right thing, it is the tax that ordinary spanish people pay to pay him salary and he has defruaded the state and barca club is supporting criminal offence what a shame to barca and messi with his fans

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