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Neymar Will Stand Trial Over His Move To Barcelona After Losing Appeal

Neymar will stand trial on corruption charges after losing his appeal. The Barcelona star is in hot water over financial details regarding his transfer from Santos to Barcelona four years ago.

Brazilian investment group DIS launched a complaint against Neymar, Barcelona, Santos and the company run by Neymar's parents, all of whom lost their appeals and will stand trial.

From ESPNFC:

The group says it was entitled to 40 percent of the transfer fee Barcelona paid Santos for Neymar but received a smaller compensation because part of the fee was concealed by those involved.

Prosecutors are seeking a two-year prison sentence and a fine of nearly $10m for Neymar and his father on corruption charges, although they are not likely to face any jail time if found guilty because they would be first-time offenders.

 

This is the same type of sentence Lionel Messi received for tax fraud. In Spain, first-time offenders with sentences of fewer than two years do not typically serve jail time.

Barcelona, Santos and Neymar's parents' company are also facing hefty fines, but the Spanish prosecutors on the case are going after Neymar the hardest. Barcelona have already paid a €5.5 million fine after admitting to erring in the fiscal planning of Neymar's transfer.

(H/T ESPNFC)

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