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On Friday, Brazilian news magazine Veja reported that the Brazilian Prosecution want to question the Barcelona soccer superstar and his parents for tax evasion and misrepresentation.
The magazine claims to have access to an inquiry where Neymar Senior and Junior are being accused of using shell companies and tampering with documents, to pay fewer taxes. The article indicates that the intent was to avoid the payment of the 27.5% in taxes, as required by Brazilian law.
The player is alleged to have used three companies to receive most of the soccer player salary as “advertising contracts” between 2010 and 2013 when he played for Brazilian club side Santos. In 2011 alone, Neymar’s organizations closed eleven contracts with sponsors for a profit of approximately 75 million of reais (roughly $18.8 million U.S., at the current exchange rate).
In 2015, a Brazilian court froze 188.8 million Brazilian reals ($50 million) of the Barcelona star’s assets. It is believed that the player owes approximately 63 million reais in unpaid taxes($16 million).
This is Neymar’s second problem in as many weeks over financial issues; the player has been questioned by the Spanish Court under the suspicions of fraud and corruption regarding his transfer from Santos to Barcelona in 2013. He is expected to testify in court today in Madrid over the matter.
The court is looking into the transfer after a complaint made by the Brazilian investment group DIS, which was entitled to 40 percent of Neymar’s transfer from Santos, but claims to have received a smaller compensation, because part of the transfer fee was concealed.
Barcelona claimed to have paid €17.1 million for the striker, but high court investigations found that the club actually paid €84.3 million for the striker’s services.
Neymar spoke to the Brazilian TV, Globo, about the charges. “My father did all so I would just focus on play soccer. When you see the person you love being attacked, suffering, people saying things which are not true, then it hurts you,” said Neymar. “Before speaking without knowledge, telling lies, you must present proof.”
