Barcelona president stands trial over neymar deal
You're referring to the controversy surrounding Neymar's transfer from Santos to Barcelona in 2013!
Yes, Josep Maria Bartomeu, the former president of FC Barcelona, is indeed standing trial over allegations related to the transfer of Neymar from Santos to Barcelona. The trial began in June 2021 and is ongoing.
The allegations against Bartomeu and other former Barcelona officials, including former vice-president Jordi Mestre and former director of football Andoni Zubizarreta, include:
- Fraud: The defendants are accused of defrauding the Spanish tax authorities by hiding the true value of Neymar's transfer fee.
- Money laundering: The allegations suggest that the defendants laundered money from the transfer to avoid paying taxes.
- Corruption: The defendants are accused of using their positions to manipulate the transfer and conceal the true value of the deal.
The trial is centered around the transfer of Neymar, which was valued at €57.1 million, but is believed to have been worth much more. The Spanish tax authorities claim that the true value of the transfer was around €83 million, which would have resulted in a significant tax liability for Barcelona.
Bartomeu and the other defendants deny any wrongdoing and claim that the transfer was conducted in accordance with Spanish law and regulations. The trial is expected to continue for several months, and the outcome will likely have significant implications for the defendants and the world of football.