Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi might be denied access to the United Kingdom to play against any Premier League side should they succeed in pulling out of the European set up. The Argentine forward was slammed with 21-month suspended prison sentence by the Spanish courts having being found guilty of evading tax in the country.

Although, he was allowed to pay a fine in exchange for serving his term behind bars like many other superstars found in the act. However, what poses more threats on Messi playing in the UK for Barca is that he is not European, hence he might not be allowed to enter into the country.

Meanwhile, Daily Mail reports that the 32-year-old as had no issue so far due to the dual Spanish-Argentine passport he posseses, making him an EU citizen.

Time waits for no man.

Unless that man is Leo #Messi. pic.twitter.com/1aCrl4aimD
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 7, 2019


And that qualifies him to travel to the country since he was not sentenced for violent acts. Messi will now be threatened with the problem of going to the UK should be successful with their plans leave the European Union.
Daily Mail quoting Athletic reported that immigration lawyer Andrew Osbourne of firm Lewis Silkin confirmed the development.

He said: "There is a specific point around European games. If you are an EU citizen with a criminal conviction, you can travel to the UK, as long as you are not deemed to be a threat to national security.
"If you are not an EU citizen and have a conviction or prison sentence imposed - even if suspended - you are banned from coming to the UK.

� — Messi's goal against Sevilla from the stands. Genius.pic.twitter.com/VflCBmV8p2
— Barca Universal (@BarcaUniversal) October 6, 2019

"There are a number of very famous footballers with convictions and suspended sentences for tax evasion. They, thus far, have not had to worry as they have EU passports. "But post-Brexit, they potentially may not be able to enter the country (as they will be treated like non-EU nationals).

"Anyone with a prison sentence of any sort, the starting point is you are not allowed in. "This could provide disruption to Champions League squads and also whether they (UEFA) will play finals in England if players potentially may not be able to come in. Clubs will need to take steps."
Messi might however be handed an exemption by the Home Office if the situation eventually arise.

SOURCE: https://www.freshreporters.com/2019/10/revealed-why-lionel-messi-could-be.html

GOAT

The English authority are tired of seeing him humiliate their team in UEFA competitions, hence the threath to ban him.