By Samindra Kunti
January 11 – Spanish prosecutors have taken the next steps in their investigation of Brazilian superstar Neymar and requested that legal action be taken against him over alleged fraud and corruption surrounding his transfer to Barcelona in the summer of 2013.
The prosecutors want to charge Neymar, his father, FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, former FC Barcelona president Sandro Rosell, two directors at Santos and both football clubs, with fraud and corruption.
Brazilian investment fund DIS have accused the defendants of fraud, claiming they didn’t receive 40% of FC Barcelona’s fee for Neymar. DIS, which had also filed a complaint in Brazil, maintain they were cheated of their real share of the benefits of Neymar’s transfer in 2013. The deal between Santos and FC Barcelona over Neymar was valued at €57.1 million, but the Spanish judicial authorities have estimated the amount to be at least €83.3 million.
At the same time, Neymar is at the centre of an investigation into alleged tax fraud over the move in which FC Barcelona have previously made a supplementary payment of almost €13 million to the Spanish authorities in order to cover what they described as a difference in “interpretation”.
In the past Neymar has refuted any accusations and said there was “nothing illegal” in his contract with his employer. Barcelona have not yet offered any public statement but have repeatedly declared their innocence. Bartomeu and Rossell face possible prison sentences.
At home a Brazilian court froze €42 million in assets belonging to Neymar, his family and related businesses in September over tax evasion allegations. The São Paulo federal court said that Neymar is alleged to have evaded €14 million before his departure to Barcelona. Judge Carlos Muta add that that “he [Neymar] is solely responsible for the income declaration.”
Neymar is not the only FC Barcelona player under investigation. Spanish authorities accuse Messi of defrauding the Spanish taxman of €4.1 million between 2007 and 2009. Messi and his father Jorge, who acts as the player’s agent, are facing up to 22 months in prison for the alleged fraud.
This weekend Neymar featured in FC Barcelona’s 4-0 routine victory against Granada, scoring his club’s last goal after a Lionel Messi hat-trick. The formidable Messi-Suarez-Neymar-combination has been responsible for 39 of Barcelona’s 44 goals this season. Neymar is joint top scorer with Suarez on 15 goals in La Liga.
Neymar’s form has earned him a nomination for tonight’s FIFA Ballon d’Or in Zurich, the prize voted for by international coaches, captains and members of the media to laud the planet’s best player. Stanley Matthews won the first Ballon d’Or in 1956, Messi is the only player to have won it four consecutive times. The Argentine is tipped to win again today.
For Neymar it’s a triumph to be on the podium in Switzerland – at last he is a rekindling a fine Brazilian tradition: Romario won the Ballon d’Or 1994; Ronaldo in ’96 and ’97, and again in 2002; Rivaldo in ’99; Ronaldinho in 2004 and ’05. Kaka was the last Brazilian winner in 2007, but since then no Brazilian has graced the podium.
The nomination is a testimony to a career that has been carefully planned. Neymar belatedly decided to cross the Atlantic in 2013 and join the Catalan giants. Neymar adapted and gradually grew in the shadow of Messi. In his third season Neymar, who turns 24 next month, excelled when Messi was injured.
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