Neymar faces six years in prison

A Spanish magistrate leading an investigation into alleged
irregularities in Neymar’s move to Barcelona in 2013 said on
Wednesday the Brazilian superstar could face up to six years in
prison, AFP reports.

“The term imposed, in principle, could be between four and six
years,” said a decree issued by judge Jose Maria Vazquez Honrubia,
a copy of which was seen by AFP.

Neymar, his parents, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu
and his predecessor Sandro Rosell are all awaiting trial over
alleged corruption concerning Neymar’s move to the Spanish La Liga
giants in 2013.

The Brazilian international forward is now with Paris
Saint-Germain in France’s Ligue 1.

The case, which follows a complaint by DIS, a Brazilian group
which part-owned the rights to Neymar, surrounds allegations of
“corruption” and “fraud” in the player’s move to Barcelona.

Neymar moved to the Spanish La Liga giants in May 2013 for a
reported fee of 57.1m euros. Although no financial details of the
deal were revealed by either Barcelona or his Brazilian club FC
Santos, Neymar’s parents were said to have received receive 40m
euros and FC Santos 17.1m.

In January 2014, prosecutors in Madrid began investigating the
transfer because documents requested by the authorities contained
contradictory information.

Rosell resigned from his post as president a week later and
Barcelona subsequently revealed they had actually paid 86.2m euros
for the Brazilian star.

DIS, who received 6m euros of the 17.1m given to FC Santos,
alleges that Barcelona and the Brazilian club colluded to mask the
true cost of the deal.