Neymar Risks Prison Over Barcelona Move, Says Spanish Magistrate

Neymar moved to Barcelona in May 2013 for a reported fee of 57.1 million euros. Pic © AFP

Brazilian international forward Neymar could face up to six years in prison as a Spanish magistrate has opened an investigation into alleged irregularities in his move to Barcelona in 2013. The case is surrounded by allegations of "corruption" and "fraud" in the player's move from Santos. Neymar, his parents, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell are all awaiting trial over alleged corruption concerning the forward's move to the Spanish La Liga giants in 2013. "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 moved to the Spanish La Liga giants in May 2013 for a reported fee of 57.1 million 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.

Bartomeu, Rosell, Barcelona, FC Santos and its former president, Odilio Rodrigues Filho, are now expected to answer charges of fraud, according to the decree.

Because the prison term involved exceeds five years, three judges are set to preside over Neymar's trial which is expected to be heard at the Audiencia Nacional, a high court with jurisdiction over Spanish territory as well as over international crimes which come under the jurisdiction of Spanish courts.

Whether Neymar faces a prison term remains to be seen, however.

In May 2017 the Spanish authorities said Neymar should stand trial but no date has yet been set.