Guus Hiddink, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo in trouble with the Law

By: Bob | February 6th, 2007

Russia national team coach Guud Hiddink was a wanted man leading up to the World Cup this year with countries and clubs from around the world eager to buy his managerial services. Hiddink is also wanted by the Dutch legal system. Prosecutors have asked for a 10-month prison sentence for the former South Korean and Australia manager on allegations of tax fraud.

Hiddink is accused of evading paying $1.8 million in Dutch taxes in 2002-03 by claiming a home in Belgium at the time while he was living in Eindhoven. He denies any wrongdoing, but it does make you think that the next time he is linked with a coaching gig it will probably be with a tax haven country like Grand Cayman or Bermuda.

In Argentina, a bar owner is accusing Barcelona’s Lionel Messi of taking part in a barroom brawl, an accusation that Messi’s attorney denies.

Messi was said to be at a table with friends who support the Newell’s Old Boys that the Barcelona star started playing for as a junior, whilst a neighbouring table had fans of Rosario Central, Newell’s’ cross-town arch-rivals.

Various insults were swapped, there was pushing and shoving and finally tables and chairs, bottles and glasses were thrown as both ‘sides’ retreated from the bar without paying for the damages. However, there is no real indication that Messi was actually involved.

A waiter of the bar had the following to say: “Apparently, a youngster who was with his fiancèe said something to Messi. I do not know exactly what was said, but he and his companions reacted. Fans of Rosario Central also got involved, though it did not last long, as people separated them quickly.”

A fight in a bar involving a football player. Welcome to the fraternity, Lionel.

Finally, one of the pleasures of being a celebrity is that when you do something wrong, no matter how minor, it is likely to end up in the papers. Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo gets the needless publicity after being fined £1,000 for a speeding incident in which he was traveling at 60mph in a 40mph zone in Manchester in July. A last, another ~~diving~~ driving controversy for the lad.