PHOTO: AFP
The incident took place at Dubai airport where Messi landed last month to attend the seventh edition of the Globe Soccer Awards, in which he received the prize of best team and best player, local dailies said.
The Emirati policeman wanted a photo of himself with the Argentinian footballer but was told the star was tired from the flight, the National daily reported.
Messi, Barcelona win big at Globe Soccer Awards
"I then went to the passport control desk and noticed that Messi's passport had been left there, so I picked it up and shot a video of myself while holding it," it quoted the policeman as saying.
He posted the video on the Snapchat application and wrote: "This is Messi's (passport), he is here in Dubai, what do I do? Shall I burn the passport or just put it back! Ok Ok you can go!"
The policeman appeared in court where he "pleaded guilty and admitted that he was wrong when he posted Messi's passport details on social media," the Dubai-based Gulf News daily reported.
Barcelona dominates UEFA's 2015 Team of the Year
It said the policeman could face a minimum of six months in jail and a fine of up to 500,000 dirhams ($136,000).
Prosecutors accused the policeman of "abusing the telecommunication system", the daily reported.
He was also charged with "breaching Messi's privacy," the National said.
A verdict is expected next week.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ