:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/SLSRST47SVHAFLE3C5G4SB3D2M.jpg)
The signing of Neymar by Barcelona continues to have repercussions over the years, and a new revelation could take a turn in the case that also involves corruption for 'manipulating' numbers in contracts in order to evade taxes or other reasons. This Thursday, the real price of his transfer to the Catalan squad was revealed.
Paulo Nasser, lawyer for the Brazilian DIS fund, presented a particular accusation in the 'Neymar case' that will be judged starting next Monday in the Barcelona Court. The professional explained that the Brazilian's signing with Barcelona "actually cost 82 million euros and only 17 appeared as an official transfer."
"Our lawsuit has two bases. The first one is a crime of private corruption. And the second one is a crime of fraud in the form of contractual simulation. The real reason for the contracts that Neymar signed with FC Barcelona was to save what they owed to DIS and Santos, a buyout clause of 65 million euros," added the lawyer.
Is Neymar in jeopardy for Qatar 2022?
The DIS, together with the Professional Athletes Association of Brazil (FAAP), request a five-year prison sentence for Neymar, plus a fine of 149 million euros. Likewise, the penalty could result in a "disqualification from his profession as a player" for the duration of the conviction.
The sentence could be given weeks before the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and the chances that the Brazilian cannot participate in the upcoming World Cup are increasing. DIS does not believe that, if a conviction is confirmed, it would affect him immediately.
Who else is involved in this case?
Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu (president and vice president of the club at that time) could be sentenced to five years in prison, in addition to seven and a half years of disqualification from holding executive positions, and 195 million euros in economic compensation for the benefit of the State.
On the side of the Public Prosecutor's Office, Rossel would be sanctioned with five years in prison and ten million euros for being involved in corruption and fraud in Neymar's signing. For the Brazilian player, two years in prison and ten million euros are requested for corruption in business.
The former president of the Catalan club, Josep Maria Bartomeu, would be exonerated as he did not actively participate in the negotiations, despite allegedly signing fraudulent contracts to sign the Santos forward between 2011 and 2013.
The case being heard by the Barcelona Court is called 'Neymar 2', as 'Neymar 1' concluded in an agreement with the Barcelona tribunal in which Barça paid 5.5 million euros and was convicted of two tax offenses, exempting Rosell and Bartomeu from responsibilities.
Receive our newsletter: we will send you the best sports content, as Depor always does.