A Spanish judge has approved the decision to put Barcelona former President Sandro Rosell and current President Josep Maria Bartomeu on trial.
The Catalan club are accused of tax fraud in the transfer deal to bring Neymar from Santos to the club and could be hit with a substantial fine, while Rosell and Bartomeu may even go to prison, reports Sport.
Judge Jose de la Mata announced in front of the National Court that the Barca directors must stand trial for the alleged tax irregularities, committed between 2011 and 2013, with accounts suggesting the Blaugrana paid more for the player than was originally declared.Barcelona are accused of three counts of tax fraud for the three years and, if found guilty, will be ordered to pay up to €11.4m to the Spanish tax authorities in damages.
The Blaugrana could also be fined €22.2m, to be paid by the guilty parties if proven, with Rosell having to come up with €25.1m and Bartomeu assuming €3.8m.
State lawyers are understood to have requested six years and nine months in prison for Rosell and two years and three months for Bartomeu.
