On Wednesday, local media reported that the Spanish Prosecutor's Office demanded a two-year jail sentence for FC Barcelona forward Neymar over corruption accusations linked to the alleged illicit payments for his transfer to the Spanish club.
Prosecutors Want Soccer Superstar Neymar in Prison in Corruption Case! pic.twitter.com/5tLiQnX4gQ
— TMZ (@TMZ) 25 ноября 2016 г.
Barcelona said it paid 17.1 million euros (about $18 million) to Santos FC and 40 million euros (approximately $42 million) to Neymar's family company to sign him for the Spanish team in 2013.
Training ⚽ pic.twitter.com/MSUkw7CUpP
— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) 22 ноября 2016 г.
However, according to Brazilian investment company DIS, which in 2009 bought 40-percent stake in Neymar's sporting rights, part of the transaction was concealed meaning it received less money than it was entitled to get.
"We are yet to receive a formal notification of the case being opened against Neymar. We remain calm because all the signed contracts were clinched on a legal and ethical basis and because they were signed in the presence of representatives of Santos and Barcelona. We are convinced that time will put everything into perspective," NN Consultoria, owned by Neymar's father, said in a message.
Neymar came third in the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or award to the world's best football players. Neymar earned comparisons to former Brazil and Santos forward Pele thanks to his dribbling, finishing, and ability with both feet.
