Josep Maria Bartomeu is facing a tax fraud probe in relation to Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona from Santos in June 2013.
According to AS, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has asked for the Barcelona President to be charged with fraud amounting to €2.8m, while they have also requested that former Barca President Sandro Rosell and the club face trial for irregularities in the acquisition of the player.
Prosecutors allege Neymar cost a total of €94.8m – €82.7m in transfer fees and €12.1m in taxes – which is a figure far above Rosell’s claim that the price tag was €57.1m.
They also argue the club avoided tax payments of €2.4m in 2011 and €6.9m in 2013 when the player was still living in Brazil. Furthermore, they insist Rosell hid the true figures surrounding the signing, claiming he divided it into various amounts, each paid under a different concept but which were all in reality for Neymar’s signature.
In total four contracts were allegedly signed with Santos and seven with Neymar himself, with his father acting as his representative, as well as with companies connected to the family.
