Spanish prosecutor wants 2-year jail term for Neymar

Spanish prosecutor wants 2-year jail term for Neymar

The striker denies any wrongdoing but lost an appeal in 2017, paving the way for a trial.

Neymar’s trial is set to begin on Oct 17 in Barcelona. (AP pic)
MADRID:
A Spanish prosecutor requested a two-year jail term and a €10 million fine for Brazilian striker Neymar in an embezzlement case against him and his agents over his 2013 transfer to Barcelona football club, a court document released today showed.

The prosecutor also asked for a five-year jail term for then FC Barcelona president Sandro Rosell, who is accused of corruption and fraud, and an €8.4 million fine for the Spanish club.

The trial, in which Neymar’s old football club Santos, in Brazil, and the player’s family firm N&N are also charged, is set to begin on Oct 17 in Barcelona, complainant DIS, a Brazilian investment group, said in a statement on Wednesday.

DIS, which owned part of Neymar’s transfer rights when he made the move in 2013, claims it received less money than it was entitled to after the transfer.

The court document released today alleges that Barcelona initiated negotiations in 2011 with the player, paying him €40 million to ensure his move when his contract with Santos expired in 2014 and thereby preventing other clubs from signing him.

It said prosecutors were asking for a two-year prison sentence “for the offence of corruption in business” as well as a three year-ban on conducting business and a €10 million fine.

Neymar has denied the allegations but lost an appeal in Spain’s High Court in 2017, paving the way for a trial.

Rosell has also previously denied any wrongdoing.

His representatives did not respond to a request for comment.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.