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Neymar to appear in Barcelona tax fraud trial Neymar to appear in Barcelona fraud trial
(about 1 hour later)
Brazilian footballer Neymar is due to give evidence in a Spanish court over allegations of tax fraud surrounding his transfer to Barcelona in 2013. Brazilian footballer Neymar is due to give evidence in a Spanish court over allegations of corruption and fraud surrounding his transfer to Barcelona.
The current and former president of the club denied wrongdoing at the court in Madrid on Monday.The current and former president of the club denied wrongdoing at the court in Madrid on Monday.
Barcelona said it paid Brazilian club Santos €57m (£43m) for Neymar, 23, with his parents receiving €45m of the fee. Barcelona said it paid €57m (£43m) for Neymar in 2013, his parents receiving €40m and Brazilian club Santos €17m.
But investigators allege the fee was closer to €83m and that Barcelona should have paid another €13m in tax. But investigators say the fee was closer to €83m and Barcelona concealed part of the deal.
Barcelona Football Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor, Sandro Rosell, all deny defrauding the tax office. The case was brought by Brazilian third-party investment fund DIS, which owned 40% of the Brazilian player's sports rights.
In a statement on Monday, the club said they had repeated what they had told the court last year, namely that Barcelona had acted correctly. "They are not worried and said they have confidence in justice," it added. DIS alleges it was financially harmed by the transfer when it received €6.8m of Santos's €17m fee and argues it was deprived of its full share.
Barcelona Football Club President Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell appeared at the court in Madrid on Monday, insisting they had acted correctly. In a statement on Monday, the club said they had repeated in court what they had said last year: "They are not worried and said they have confidence in justice," it added.
They are also accused in a separate case of defrauding the Spanish tax office of an estimated €13m. They deny the allegations.
Neymar's father and mother were also set to appear at the National Court in Madrid on Tuesday.Neymar's father and mother were also set to appear at the National Court in Madrid on Tuesday.
The case was brought by Brazilian third-party investment fund DIS, which owned 40% of the Brazilian player's sports rights. DIS alleges it was financially harmed by the transfer as part of the fee was concealed.
Judge Jose de la Mata was expected to decide whether Neymar's parents were to give evidence in person.Judge Jose de la Mata was expected to decide whether Neymar's parents were to give evidence in person.
Neymar's move to Barcelona has been a big success on the pitch. The striker became part of a goalscoring trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Neymar's move to Barcelona has been a big success on the pitch. The striker became part of a goal-scoring trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
In 2015, he helped the club win five trophies and came third in the Fifa Ballon d'Or competition. He also scored in the Uefa Champions League final against Juventus. In 2015, Neymar, 23, helped the club win five trophies and came third in the Fifa Ballon d'Or competition. He also scored in the Uefa Champions League final against Juventus.
But he has also encountered legal difficulties in Brazil, where a court has frozen $47m (£33m) of his assets in connection with suspected tax evasion between 2011 and 2013.But he has also encountered legal difficulties in Brazil, where a court has frozen $47m (£33m) of his assets in connection with suspected tax evasion between 2011 and 2013.