It’s the Lionel Messi tax fraud trial that’s had everyone on tenterhooks, and it looks like it might take place in a German court.
The Barcelona star, diminutive, falls under Spanish jurisdiction but may well be granted the request on account of his quite extraordinary degree of eminence as both a footballer and public figure.
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He fuelled speculation as to his intentions by standing aside and letting Germany win the World Cup last month, which at the time seemed downright decent of him but now looks to have had an ulterior motive.
By returning to training this morning sporting a new “German style” haircut, Messi appears to have confirmed the rumours in alluringly cryptic fashion.
Standing accused of participating in a lucrative money-laundering scheme with his father, Messi admitted to being “quite taken” with Bernie Ecclestone’s bribing of a German court to let him off charges of bribery.
He told Football Burp: “I didn’t realise you could do that.
“It’s a good thing I’m such a fan of Queens Park Rangers and Formula 1 as I’d never have noticed otherwise.
“As far as I can tell you’re only allowed to buy your way to freedom in Germany, so I’m hoping my new haircut and role in their World Cup victory will grease the wheels a bit.
“Bernie’s haircut tribute to Angela Merkel was an ingenious spot of diplomacy – frankly it’s the mark of the man, and I look forward to having a good chuckle with him about it all over a cigar and a brandy.
“Deutschland über alles!”
He added: “I’d like to apologise for that last remark.”
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