Neymar to stand trial over alleged fraud, corruption
The legal fallout from Neymar's controversial transfer isn't over.
La Audiencia Nacional, Spain's top criminal court, opened a trial on Thursday relating to Barcelona's signing of Neymar. Jose de la Mata, a judge, proposed the footballer, his parents, the Blaugrana's president - Jose Maria Bartomeu - and the club's ex-president - Sandro Rosell - stand trial for alleged fraud and corruption, as well as two other people.
Barcelona and Santos Futebol Clube, the Brazilian club that produced Neymar and transferred the player to the Blaugrana, will stand trial as legal entities.
De la Mata set bonds of €3.4 million for Rosell, Bartomeu, Santos' ex-president - Odilio Rodrigues - Barcelona, and Santos. The bonds were determined by the prosecutor's accusation. DIS Esporte, a Brazilian investment company, owned 40 percent of Neymar's sporting rights at the time of the transfer, and alleges it was denied its share because the real cost of the move was hidden in a tangle of contracts.
DIS Esporte pocketed €6.8 million of €17 million but alleges that the transfer amounted to €25.2 million, meaning it should have received €10.1 million and was cheated out of €3.3 million.
Pablo Ruz, another judge, valued the transfer at €83.3 million, but De la Mata isn't taking into account all the amounts claimed by the prosecution since some of them exceed the facts of the case.
According to Mundo Deportivo, La Fiscalia de la Audiencia Nacional will ask for the following at the trial in addition to a €10-million fine for each party:
- Two years in prison for Neymar
- Five years in prison for Rosell
- €8.4-million fine for Barcelona
- €7-million fine for Santos
- Two years in prison for Neymar's father
- One year in prison for Neymar's mother
- €1.4-million fine for N&N, a family company
In Spain, prison sentences of two years or less are usually suspended for first-time offenders.