Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar Jr. could be handed a six-year prison sentence should he be found guilty of breaching the law following his move from Santos to Barcelona. The 26-year-old Brazilian ace joined the Catalans in 2013 in a five-year deal.
Back in January 2014, the prosecutor's office in Madrid opened an investigation into the transfer fee paid for Neymar by Barcelona. This was after it was revealed that the documents submitted to the authorities upon request contained conflicting information.
Details of the transfer suggested that the deal cost Barcelona €86.2 million ($97.5 million), an amount contrary to the €17.1 million ($19.3 million) which was initially published as Neymar's transfer fee. The existence of the anomaly in the report was subsequently confirmed after the player's parents confessed that they received a €40 million ($45.3 million) sum from the Catalan club.
As a result, Barcelona - alongside its club president Maria Bartomeu - were charged with tax fraud following the resignation of then-president Sandro Rosell. The case was reopened after DIS – a Brazilian investment company – claimed it was due a 40 percent share of the amount that the Spanish club paid to sign Neymar.
In the latest development, prosecutors were said to be looking for a two-year sentence for Neymar due to the indiscretions. However, on Wednesday, the Spanish court revealed that the former Barcelona star could be handed a four to a six-year prison sentence if he is found guilty.
The news comes as a massive impediment for the Paris Saint-Germain player as, in Spain, jail sentences of two years or less for first crimes are mostly suspended. The trial date is yet to be set and still all the parties involved all maintain their stance against any wrongdoings.
