Brazil’s soccer star Neymar has taken a seat in the dock in Spain. A trial against the soccer star and other defendants for alleged fraud and corruption when the professional switched from FC Santos to FC Barcelona in 2013 began in the district court of Barcelona.
The public prosecutor’s office is demanding two years’ imprisonment and a fine of ten million euros for Neymar. A private prosecutor is even pushing for a five-year prison sentence for Neymar. The 30-year-old has denied all allegations. The oral hearing is scheduled to take place by October 31.
Neymar walked up the court steps with a serious expression and very slow steps. He was wearing a black suit, black shirt, black tie and sunglasses. The professional was accompanied by several lawyers. The Brazilian, who shot his club Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-0 win over Olympique Marseille on Sunday, is not due to testify until Friday.
In addition to Neymar (30), who has been playing for the French champions since 2017, the pro’s parents and two ex-presidents of FC Barcelona, Josep Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, are also accused. The prosecutor’s office demands the highest sentence for Rosell: five years. In Spain, prison sentences of up to two years are almost always suspended for those who have no criminal record. All of the suspects had previously denied the allegations.
The judiciary had already ordered the opening of criminal proceedings in 2017 after Neymar and Barça failed with an appeal. It is about a lawsuit by the Brazilian investment fund DIS in connection with Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona in 2013. DIS held a 40 percent stake in Neymar and feels that it has been cheated out of a sum of millions. According to the investigations of the Spanish authorities, significantly more money is said to have flowed for the change than officially announced.
