Reports: Lionel Messi could pay fine to avoid prison time in tax case

Spanish prosecutors may let soccer star Lionel Messi pay an additional fine instead of serving the 21-month prison term imposed in his tax fraud case, according to multiple reports on Friday. 

The Argentine FC Barcelona forward would be allowed to pay a fine of 255,000 Euros (about $285,000) instead of serving time in jail, the BBC reported. Messi was fined 2 million Euros ($2.24 million) and his father, who was also charged with tax evasion, was fined 1.5 million Euros ($1.68 million).

Messi and his father have paid 5 million Euros ($5.7 million), which is equal to the taxes they avoided paying from 2007-09 plus interest. The two allegedly used offshore accounts in Belize and Uruguay to avoid taxes. 

In Spain, prison sentences under 24 months for first-time offenders can be suspended by a judge, who will have the final say to accept the agreement between Messi and prosecutors. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.