Brazilian international talent and Barcelona forward Neymar da Silva Santos, 23, could be facing court charges after prosecutors asked the High Court judge to charge him on two counts of fraud and corruption, according to Spanish media.
The claims are related to his transfer from Brazilian club Santos to Spanish FC Barcelona at a summer transfer market in 2013.
Prosecutors also asked for charges to be brought against the following suspects; Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu; former Barcelona club president Sandro Rosell; Neymar’s father; former Santos directors Luis Álvaro de Oliveira and Odílio Rodrigues; and two football clubs, Santos and FC Barcelona.
The prosecutors’ move came as a result of legal proceedings brought by the Brazilian investment fund (DIS), in which it accused the defendants of fraud because it should have received 40% of the payment that Barcelona paid to Santos for the player.
Neymar, who according to high court investigations was under contract to DIS, signed a deal with Barcelona worth €40m. Reports claimed the deal cost more than €83m. Further, the defendants failed to inform the fund about the deal with Barcelona.
Neymar is considered a top promising talent in the world after his performance with Barcelona, scoring 45 goals in 75 games. His performance led Barcelona to become triple winners, and made him a finalist for best player in the world award, along with fellow Barcelona player Argentinian Lionel Messi and Portuguese Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
