February 4 – Brazilian star Neymar, already embroiled in a legal case over his move to Barcelona, is now facing separate allegations of tax evasion.
Brazilian prosecutors have filed a formal complaint against Neymar and his father for tax evasion and providing false information.
The new allegations refer to image rights contracts from 2006 when Neymar was playing for Santos. Two former presidents of Barca, Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, have also been cited by the prosecution.
Prosecutors claim the schemes involved three companies linked to the striker’s family – Neymar Sport e Marketing, N&N Consultoria Esportiva e Empresarial and N&N Administração de Bens, Participações e Investimentos.
A Brazilian prosecution’s statement said: “They forged a series of documents between 2006 and 2013 with the intention of reducing the taxes owed to the inland revenue in Brazil. Neymar’s conduct, along with the others accused, caused millions in losses to the public coffers.”
A judge will now decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed.
The allegations are not connected to a separate case against Neymar that was heard in court on Tuesday when he appeared with his father, who acts as his agent, before a Spanish judge to give evidence over alleged irregularities concerning his transfer to Spain. He denies any wrongdoing.
Barcelona said it paid €57 million for his services in 2013 but investigators say the fee was closer to €83 million and that Barcelona concealed part of the deal. Rosell resigned as Barcelona chairman to defend himself against allegations that he and the club swindled Spanish tax authorities out of €13 million.
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