Neymar, a Brazilian superstar, will stand trial in Spain on Monday for alleged irregularities in his move to Barcelona than a decade ago, with the World Cup less than a month away.
The trial, which is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) at the Provincial Court of Barcelona, is the end of a multi-year legal battle over his transfer from Brazilian team Santos in 2013.
Neymar is one of nine defendants on trial for corruption-related accusations, including his parents and their management company, N&N.
Each individual is accused of corporate corruption.
Neymar could face two years in prison and a 10 million euro ($9.7 million) punishment if convicted.
After a complaint was made in 2015 by DIS, a Brazilian business that owned 40 percent of the player’s sporting rights when he was with Santos, investigators began looking into the move.
Prosecutors believe the move cost at least 83 million euros, despite Barcelona’s claim that it cost 57,1 million euros.
Neymar, a Brazilian superstar, will stand trial in Spain on Monday for alleged irregularities in his move to Barcelona than a decade ago, with the World Cup less than a month away. Pictured: Today Neymar arrives to the Barcelona Provincial Court.
Neymar enters in court to face fraud and corruption charges related to his 2013 transfer from Santos to FC Barcelona.
The club reported paying 40 million euros to N&N and 17.1 million euros to Santos, of which DIS received 6.8 million euros.
However, DIS claims that Neymar, Barcelona, and the Brazilian club collaborated to conceal the full cost of the transaction.
Sandro Rosell, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and Odilio Rodrigues Filho, three former presidents of FC Barcelona, are among the other defendants.
Neymar, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, is likely to appear in court on the first day, but this has not been verified formally.
On either October 21 or October 28, he will testify, but it is unknown if he will be required to be physically present. The trial will conclude on October 31.
Tuesday, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will testify via videoconference to explain how a 2011 pre-contract agreement between Barcelona and Neymar affected the market.
On Thursday, DIS attorney Paulo Nasser stated that Neymar Junior, with the complicity of his parents, FC Barcelona and its management at the time, and Santos FC at a later stage, cheated DIS of its lawful financial interests.
If convicted, he could be sentenced to two years in prison and fined 10 million euros ($9.7 million). Neymar of PSG is pictured during the 16 October Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at Parc des Princes.
DIS is attempting to reclaim €35 million.
Neymar’s attorneys argue that their client is innocent, stating that the 40 million euro signing bonus was legal and standard in the football transfer market.
The footballer is having one of his best seasons since joining PSG in 2017 for a world record 222 million euros.
He scored the only goal in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Marseille at the Parc des Princes. Neymar has scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 11 Ligue 1 appearances.
However, he appears to have strained relations with France international phenom Kylian Mbappe, with the 23-year-old reportedly asking that PSG sell the Brazilian.
Neymar is also anticipated to play a significant part for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar, where the South American powers will attempt to capture the trophy for the first time since 2002 and the sixth time overall.
On November 24, he will lead the Selecao in their Group G opener against Serbia.
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