Athlete Neymar said during the trial on Tuesday (18) that he “signed the documents that his father presented to him.” The application was made by the jury in Barcelona, Spain. Information provided by AFP.
The lawsuit aims to investigate possible wrongdoing in the controversial transfer that took him from Santos to Barça in 2013.
In a statement to the court, Neymar said: “My father always took care of the contract negotiations. I sign what he asks,” the footballer said during interrogation at the prosecutor’s office.
The court charging him with corruption is seeking a two-year prison sentence for Neymar in addition to paying a fine of 10 million euros, equivalent to 52 million reais.
Get the point:
Striker Neymar faces a lawsuit in Spanish courts that could lead to his arrest. The information was published by the Spanish press and refers to the process of breaking the rules during the transfer of a player from Santos to Barcelona.
The trial began this Monday (17), if found guilty, the player could be arrested and banned from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Neymar moved to Barcelona in 2013. At the time, DIS, a Brazilian investment company that filed a lawsuit that led to litigation, received a commission that was less than it was supposed to, according to it. This is because the player would hide the real value with clubs.
Also involved in the trial are Barcelona’s defendants, Santos, the player’s parents, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, former Barcelona managers, and Odiliu Rodriguez, former president of Santos. If it had been proven that the amount was hidden, Neymar could have cheated the Spanish tax authorities.
The trial will last until October 31, but appeals are possible and a five-year prison term, as requested by the prosecutor’s office, is unlikely (the prosecutor’s office requires two years in prison and a fine). In addition, there is always the possibility of paying a fine.
Neymar’s lawyers will try to overturn the judgment on the grounds that the player cannot be tried in Spain for the transfer, as he is a Brazilian citizen and the deal took place while he was still on Brazilian soil.
CBF did not take a position on opportunity. But internally the entity is watching the situation with some uneasiness. Less because of the risk of arrest and more because of the psychological aspect. Coach Tite, on the other hand, should not take a stand on the matter.
Source: Ndmais