Neymar Hit With Fraud Proceedings In Brazil

Barcelona and Brazil’s star striker Neymar has suffered a
fresh legal blow. Brazilian prosecutors have filed a tax fraud and forgery case
against him saying the striker and his family hid the real amount he was signed
with, with his club. The 23-year-old and his family have denied any wrongdoing
over alleged irregularities in his superstar signing for Barcelona in 2013.

But hours after he gave testimony in Spain in one case, a
new front opened up as federal prosecutors in Brazil launched proceedings
against him and his father.

Investigators in both countries suspect Neymar’s family and
the club hid the real value of the deal under which Barcelona signed him from
Brazilian side Santos.

Barcelona valued the transfer at about 57 million euros ($62
million), but Spanish authorities think it added up to more than 83 million
euros.

Brazil’s federal prosecution service accused the player,
full name Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, and his father of forging contracts to
pay less tax.

It made the same accusations against two senior FC Barcelona
management figures: the club’s current president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his
predecessor Sandro Rosell.

A federal court must now decide whether to admit the charges
and put them on trial.