Spanish prosecutors drop fraud and corruption charges against PSG’s Neymar; check details

Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr. has been cleared off fraud and corruption charges that were leveled against him over his transfer to Barcelona in 2013. Spanish public prosecutors dropped all charges against Neymar on Friday, having earlier demanded a fine of €10 million, alongside a two-year prison term for 29-year-old. case was brought up by a Brazilian investment firm named DIS, which h ownership of 40% of rights to Neymar, when he played for Brazilian club Santos. 

firm argued that y didn’t receive rightful cut from Neymar’s much-anticipated transfer to Barcelona, because correct value was understated. Following testimony of all defendants, which included Neymar’s family, former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, alongside former Santos president Odilio Rodrigues, prosecutor Luis Garcia Canton said re wasn't slightest hint of crime. Luis also asked judge for acquittal of all defendants. 

DIS wanted a 5-year jail term for Neymar Jr.

Meanwhile, prosecutors also wanted a five-year jail term for former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and an €8.4m fine for Camp u-based club. At same time, in initial part of trial, DIS demanded a five-year jail term for Neymar along with a total of €149m fine on defendants. However, lawyers representing defendants, Baker McKenzie, claimed that Spanish courts asked jurisdiction to prosecute Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward, his family and ir company, as acts were committed by foreign nationals outside Spain. y also said that crimes were t punishable in Brazil.

Neymar Jr. move to Barcelona from Santos was completed in 2013

DIS acquired 40% of rights to Neymar in exchange for 2 million euros when he was 17-year-old. An agreement for his transfer to Barcelona was reached in 2011, but his move away from Santos was completed two years later in 2013. As per Barca, footballer was roped in for a fee of 57.1 million euros, out of which 40 million Euros was given to Neymar and his family. DIS h received 40% of remaining 17.1 million euros that was given to his previous club Santos.

latest trial was brought by Spanish prosecutors after Neymar has lost an appean in Spani’s High Court in 2017. However, charges against Brazilian star have been w dropped. Neymar has appeared in Barcelona court last week, after scoring winning goal in PSG’s victory over Marseille in Ligue 1.