Brazilian soccer star Neymar faces a two-year prison sentence, according to a report by Le Parisien.
As reported by the French newspaper, citing court documents, the striker of the French champions of Paris Saint-Germain will have to appear in person before the Barcelona court this Monday. The 30-year-old is accused of fraud and corruption. In addition to the prison sentence, the Barcelona Public Prosecutor’s Office is also asking for a fine of ten million euros.
In addition to Neymar, according to “Le Parisien”, his father, the then Barcelona manager Sandro Rosell and FC Barcelona are also accused. Rosell’s successor, Josep Bartomeu, is expected to testify on October 21 and the trial is scheduled for October 17-31. According to the report, Rosell could face up to five years in prison.
In 2013 Neymar, then considered one of the greatest talents in world football, went to the Catalans for 57.1 million euros. According to the top Spanish club, € 40 million went to Neymar and his family and € 17.1 million to FC Santos. However, the Brazilian judiciary assumes that the operation was worth around 83 million euros. Investment fund DIS, which at the time held 40% of Neymar’s rights, then sued Neymar, his father, FC Barcelona and former Barça president Rosell. It is suspected that FC Barcelona deliberately underestimated the move at the time to save costs.
In 2017 Neymar then moved to Paris from FC Barcelona for a record € 222m.
