By Tim Stannard

1) Little Leo gets jail time for tax evasion (except he doesn’t)

Leo Messi is reportedly sunning himself in the Caribbean, but the newly-exiled Argentinean international might want to check in at his Barcelona basecamp for leaky pipes or a tree falling onto his toolshed, as the footballer is having one heck of a lousy summer.

First there was another final failure for Argentina, endless harassment over his international retirement and now a 21-month prison sentence for tax evasion.

However, the slightly big light at the end of the tunnel in this is that jail time is not served in Spain for any sentences under two years, otherwise the country’s prisons would be stuffed full of its politicians. Messi and his father were found guilty of tax evasion on three counts of tax fraud by failing to pay tax on image rights in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Messi was also given a $2.2 million fine. Both have the right to appeal.

Barcelona released a statement supporting the player claiming that Messi “is in no way criminally responsible with regards to the facts underlined in this case.”

2) Real Madrid reunion as Bale and Ronaldo trade blows in Euro semi

The Leo Messi sentencing news no doubt put a spring in the step of Cristiano Ronaldo who has quite the day ahead of him as Portugal take on Wales in the first semifinal of Euro 2016. As does Gareth Bale who now faces the club versus country debate.

Does the wondrous Welsh winger have the game of his life to put Wales into the final, and have Cristiano Ronaldo refusing to either talk or pass to him for the next half-decade at Real Madrid or let CR7 have his way? Probably the former, as the relationship between the pair is not the warmest anyway.

Wales manager, Chris Coleman, has praised both players ahead of the clash saying that they have the magic agreement to make it to the top of the football tree – talent and ambition.  Catch all the highlights of the big Euro 2016 on the XTRA at 7PM ET.

3) Bielsa turns down Argentina call for life at Lazio

Marcelo Bielsa may be mad, but not that mad. The former Athletic Bilbao and Marseille coach has turned his back on pleas to take over the Argentina job from the departing Tata Martino, by sealing a deal to manager Serie A side, Lazio.

A couple of Russian players are set to have a fun meeting with Vladimir Putin after landing in hot water for partying like its 1999 in Monte Carlo after Russia’s exit from Euro 2016. A video posted on line of forward Aleksandr Kokorin and the midfielder Pavel Mamaev getting jiggy with it with some champagne has caused quite a stir in the Motherland.

Gerard Pique will be as pleased as punch on Wednesday as a local brewery has named a beer after him – the Piquebauer. Fruity, zesty with a big foamy head.

4) Oscar Pistorius sentenced to six years in prison for murder

South African Olympian, Oscar Pistorius, has been sentenced to six years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The initial conviction of homicide was upgraded to murder last December by South Africa’s Court of Appeal.

5) Quarterfinal drama as Sam Querrey continues American dream

After the Williams sisters dominated the women’s quarterfinals on Tuesday with a double victory to send both into the semis, it’s time for the men to take the stage. And that includes Big Sam Querrey who is in action against Canada’s Milos Raonic to see if there can be an American entry into the men’s semifinals too. Not looking too good at time of writing with the American one set down. Roger Federer and Andy Murray are also in action in tantalizing day of tennis. You can catch all the best action on the XTRA at 7PM ET.

Stage four of the Tour de France saw yet another photo finish on the line despite an enormous trek across the country. However, Peter Sagan still holds the yellow jersey. Wednesday’s stage is a pleasant amble from Arpajon-sur-Cère to Montauban.

What is Sports Burst?

The life philosophy of sports burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. sb is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. hopefully at the same time.