Neymar to Stand Trial for Fraud over Barcelona Transfer
After months of speculation and dithering, Barcelona star Neymar is set to face trial for fraud in relation to his transfer to the club in 2013.
Judge Jose de la Mata was ordered to reopen the case by Spain’s Supreme Court months after it was closed.
Following the judge’s ruling, prosecutors now have 10 days to formalise their request for a trial.
Neymar, 24, has been in and out of the courts following his €57 million switch to the Catalan giants from Santos, with Spanish authorities accusing Barca and the player of fraud as the deal was actually worth €87 million.
Furthermore, a Brazilian investment fund, DIS, which owned part of the transfer rights for the player, has filed a case demanding a greater share of the overall transfer payments.
The player and his father were cleared in July
DIS, which was entitled to 40% of Neymar’s transfer from Brazilian club Santos, claims it received a smaller compensation than it should have because part of the transfer fee was allegedly concealed.
Apart from Neymar and his father who doubles as his agent, the former and current club presidents of Barcelona – Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu – as well as the club also stand accused of involvement, BBC writes.
Barca have already been told to pay a fine of 5.5m euros ($6.1m; £4.7m) because of tax irregularities in the highly controversial transfer.
The Brazilian has been a phenomenal success since joining the Camp Nou, wining two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, the Champions League, the European Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
He recently signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2022.
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