Spain’s National Court has reopened the fraud and corruption case concerning Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013.
Judge Jose de la Mata dismissed the complaint raised by investment fund DIS, which owned 40 percent of Neymar when he was a Santos player, less than three months ago, but that verdict has been challenged by fellow magistrate Angela Murillo.
“In light of the decision of the National Court’s decision to uphold the prosecution and continue the process against Neymar Sr, Neymar Jr, Sandro Rosell, Santos CF and FC Barcelona in the DIS case, FC Barcelona express their nonconformity with the reasoning included in this resolution,” read a statement on Barca’s official website.
“The investigating judge, who had initially agreed to dismiss the case of all investigated, must now reopen the case and close it by holding a trial.
“In this trial, FC Barcelona will maintain the thesis that they have always defended throughout the process and prove the innocence of all investigated.”
Neymar, his parents and past and present Barca Presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, plus then-Santos chief Odilio Rodrigues, are again the defendants who will stand trial and could face prison time.
The case relates to a €40m payment made by the Catalans to Neymar’s parents, contracts signed with Santos for a friendly match and the right of first refusal on three players, while DIS is demanding €34.5m in damages.
