Barcelona to pay nearly R10 million fine over Neymar transfer case

14 June 2016 - 12:22 By REUTERS

Barcelona have agreed to pay a fine of $6.21 million (almost R10 million) to the Spanish authorities to settle a tax fraud case over the transfer of Brazil international Neymar in 2013. Barcelona had been accused of concealing part of Neymar's transfer fee when he moved to Spain from Brazilian club Santos, with several investigations carried out in Spain and Brazil.The settlement was reported by Spanish news agency Efe last week and the club confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that its board had approved the agreement at a meeting the previous day.Spain court probes fraud case against Barca's NeymarA Spanish court Wednesday launched a fraud investigation against Barcelona striker Neymar, a judicial source said, dragging the Brazilian star into a case in which the club's president faces trial. "The Board ... has decided to approve the agreement presented by the club's legal services with regard to the case surrounding the signing of Neymar Jr, currently being heard in the Courts of the Province of Barcelona," the statement said."The agreement involves the recognition by the club of an error in tax planning for the signing of the player, for the fiscal years 2011 and 2013, when they did not correctly withhold payments resulting from his incorporation."In addition, the club has been exonerated from responsibility for the fiscal year 2014, which was also part of the proceedings." The vote by Barca's board approves a pact to absolve both current president Josep Bartomeu and former president Sandro Rosell of wrongdoing with regard to the transfer.Bartomeu was a vice president under Rosell when Neymar was signed in a complex deal involving multiple contracts.The tax probe was launched after a club member questioned the figures given for the Neymar deal. Barca initially said they paid 57.1 million euros but later said the cost was nearer 100 million.Reuters reported last week Spanish prosecutors want Neymar to face charges of fraud and corruption over his transfer.Brazilian judge throws out Neymar tax evasion caseA Brazilian judge threw out a tax evasion case against Barcelona forward Neymar on Thursday because Brazil's inland revenue has yet to finish its own deliberations in the case. Brazilian investment fund DIS, which held 40 percent of Neymar's sporting rights at Santos, said it was deprived of its full share of the transfer as Barcelona had concealed the actual value of the deal...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.