Former Barcelona presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu are also set to stand trial, accused of “corruption and fraud” in connection with Neymar’s transfer from Santos to the Camp Nou  in 2013.

Published: 27 July 2022

In 2013, the forward for Paris Saint-Germain moved from Santos to Barcelona. However, legal proceedings have reportedly been initiated against the Brazilian forward, and the trial is scheduled to begin on November 24, just four weeks before Brazil’s World Cup campaign kicks off against Serbia.

From October 17th through the 31st, the trial will take place. A two-year prison term is rumored to be what the authorities are asking for the South American footballer.

According to El Pais, the trial is taking place because of a complaint brought by DIS, a Brazilian business that operates in the football market. They held 40% of Neymar’s “federative rights” while he was at Santos.

Neymar's

DIS claims Neymar, his family, and the Barcelona organization mislead them, and they are now seeking more than £126 million in damages. The prosecution and DIS both assert that Neymar da Silva Santos, the player’s father, and the player themselves signed two fake contracts with Barcelona in 2011 without realizing that Santos was the rightful owner of the player’s rights.

One of these transactions reportedly occurred without Santos’ and DIS’ knowledge and approval and was valued £33.0m. According to DIS’s 2016 findings, both Barcelona and the player violated FIFA rules and distorted free competition in the transfer market.

The prosecution is asking for a two-year prison sentence, but DIS is asking for a five-year punishment and a lifetime ban from football. They want Neymar’s parents to serve a combined five years in jail, while the prosecution is only asking for two years for Neymar’s father and one year for his mother.

In 2017, a Spanish judge ordered Neymar to face fraud charges related to the 2013 contract. After another year of review, the trial is finally getting underway.

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