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Union of Spain's Tax Agency slams Barcelona's #WeAreAllLeoMessi campaign

Reuters

Gestha, the union of Spain's Tax Agency, is just as flabbergasted as everyone else by Barcelona's blatant support of tax fraud.

In conversation with Cadena SER, Gestha's president, Carlos Cruzado, echoed the voice of the Spanish public, lashing out at Barcelona for unveiling a campaign in which supporters were asked to express sympathy for Lionel Messi, after the Argentinian phenom and his father were sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax fraud.

Related: Tone-deaf Barca sets up #WeAreAllLeoMessi campaign after tax sentence

Specifically, Barcelona asked fans to use the hashtag "#WeAreAllLeoMessi" while posting a photo or message with both hands up.

"Our view is that a campaign of solidarity, such as the one being run at the moment by Barcelona, in support of people who have defrauded the public purse isn't something that exactly improves the tax conscience of Spaniards," Cruzado said, according to AS.

While Messi and his father aren't expected to spend any time behind bars, as sentences of less than two years are usually suspended in Spain, the player's management team announced the ruling will be appealed to the Supreme Court of Spain, which typically takes slightly less than a year to reach a resolution.

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