Thursday , March 28 2024

Neymar accused of fraud

Spanish prosecutors are preparing a case against Neymar Jr, his parents and Barcelona, regarding allegations of corruption and fraud following his move to the club in 2013.

They have been investigating his transfer fee for two years now after documents submitted to the Madrid authorities contained contradictory information.

The National Court wants to bring the case of an alleged scam involving the payment to the Brazilian fund DIS, which owns 40 per cent of the footballer’s rights, says Cadena Ser radio station.

Prosecutors believe that Neymar; his mother and father; former Barcelona and Santos FC presidents Sandro Rosell and Odilio Rodrigues; Barcelona the club; Santos FC; and the company owned by the forward’s parents should be tried.

The player and his father are accused of corruption which could carry jail terms of between six months and two years, if found guilty.

The Catalans said they paid 17,100,000 euros to Santos for the player, with DIS receiving 40 per cent, but it is alleged that they actually handed over 25,171,000 euros.

There is said to have been contracts drawn up to pay less to the Brazilian fund, and one of these fraudulent contracts had been signed by the player according to the prosecution.

Barcelona could also face allegations that it further deceived the fund in a letter dated December 11, 2012 saying it “was not in negotiations, nor had it entered into a contract or preliminary agreement with Santos FC for the transfer of the said player.”

This was said to have been written after they had already paid an advance of 10m euros.

The prosecutor asked for a case to be filed against Josep Maria Bartomeu because he would have signed most of the contracts as vice-president.

Allegations are that the club said it paid 57,100,000 euros for Neymar but the contract was actually for 83,371,000, which would have added nearly another 13m euros to the tax bill.

Barcelona have repeatedly declared their innocence while Neymar himself has also previously said there is nothing illegal about his contract.

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