Spanish prosecutors have filed charges against Neymar, the Paris Saint-Germain forward who previously transferred from Santos to Barcelona in 2013. The case calls for two years of prison time and a 10 million euro fine, according to reports from Reuters. The prosecution also seeks the arrest of Sandro Rosell, the former president of Barcelona, on allegations of corruption and fraud. Barcelona, meanwhile, faces a separate financial penalty of 8.4 million euros related to the matter.
The trial is scheduled to commence on October 17 in Barcelona, marking a significant development in a long-running saga that has drawn attention from fans, legal observers, and football executives around the world. The proceedings center on a complex web of business deals, shareholdings, and transfer arrangements that involved multiple parties and cross-border agreements.
It is noted that the Brazilian investment group DIS, which holds a portion of Neymar’s rights, has claimed that it did not receive a portion of the proceeds from Neymar’s sale to Barcelona. This assertion feeds into the broader questions about how transfer fees, third-party ownership arrangements, and related financial streams were managed during the period in question.
On the field, Neymar’s latest season with PSG saw the club clinch the Ligue 1 title with 86 points from 38 matches. The forward appeared in 22 league fixtures, scoring 13 goals and delivering six assists, contributing to the team’s overall domestic success and their bid for continental glory.
Despite the domestic triumph, PSG exited the Champions League at the round of 16, losing on aggregate to Real Madrid, who would go on to win the competition. The outcome added another layer to discussions around PSG’s squad composition, investment strategy, and performance in Europe’s premier club tournament.
Beyond the football arena, public interest has also touched personal and legal dimensions. The spouse of Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué, the singer Shakira, has been reported in various outlets as facing a potential prison term and substantial fines related to tax matters. This element has kept the broader topic of financial compliance and high-profile cases in the public spotlight and illustrated how personal finance and legal exposure can intersect with celebrity status.