Judge accepts charges against Neymar over Barcelona transfer

Brazilian footballer Neymar could be heading back to court on corruption charges.

A Spanish judge has accepted charges against Neymar for irregularities regarding his transfer to Barcelona, opening the way for a trial involving footballer and his parents.

Barcelona club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and former president Sandro Rosell are also set to stand trial after a complaint brought by Brazilian investment group DIS, which was entitled to 40% of Neymar’s transfer from Brazilian club Santos in 2013 but said it received a smaller compensation because part of the transfer fee was concealed.

Fraud charges were accepted against Barcelona, Santos and a former president of the Brazilian club.

 

With Monday’s ruling by National Court judge Jose de la Mata, prosecutors will have 10 days to formalise their request for a trial.

The ruling was expected after prosecutors won an appeal to keep the case alive two months ago.

The DIS complaint had been shelved earlier this year, but a group of judges ruled that there was enough evidence to reopen the case.

Neymar and his father, who acts as the player’s agent, appeared in a Madrid court in February to defend themselves. All other parties being accused by prosecutors have also denied wrongdoing.

In June, Barcelona paid a fine of €5.5m to settle a separate case brought by Spain’s tax authorities. In that agreement, the club acknowledged it made “an error in the fiscal planning of the player’s transfer”.

Barcelona said the price of Neymar’s transfer was €57.1m, with Santos receiving €17.1m.

Prosecutors said the total amount paid by the Spanish club to Santos was €25.1m, meaning DIS would be entitled to an additional €3.2m.

Prosecutors said the difference comes from payments made by Barcelona for the future acquisitions of other players, as well as partnerships for friendly matches between the clubs.

According to court documents, DIS paid 5 million reals (€1.4m) for its 40% of Neymar’s rights in 2009.