Neymar set to miss Ligue 1 game because of Barcelona transfer
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 17 Oct 2022 14:37 BST
- 3 min read
Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar is set to miss his side's Friday night Ligue 1 clash with Ajaccio due to his transfer to Barcelona in 2013.
That is because he is scheduled to testify in court in Barcelona on Friday to defend his case.
The Brazilian was in court on Monday 17 October, along with his father, mother and former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, to discuss his move from Santos to Barcelona back in 2013.
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Charges of fraud and corruption have been made in relation to Neymar's move to Europe from his homeland, and Spanish prosecutors are seeking a two-year prison sentence and a €10 million for the PSG forward.
The aforementioned Rosell is also being investigated, with those pressing charges hoping for a five-year jail sentence for the 58-year-old, as well as an €8.4m fine for FC Barcelona.
The claims of fraud and corruption have been made by Brazilian investment firm DIS. They owned 40% of Neymar's economic rights during his spell playing for Santos, and believe they didn't receive their full cut following Neymar's move to Barcelona.
DIS want Neymar to receive five years of jail time, €149m in fines, and for the player to be disqualified from playing competitively for the length of his sentence.
What has been said?
In a press conference last week, DIS' lawyer, Paulo Nasser, said: "Neymar, with the connivance of his parents and the boards of directors of Barcelona and Santos, betrayed the trust of my clients.
"The real cost of the transaction [between Santos and Barcelona] was €82m, and only €17m appeared as the official transfer."
What happens next?
Neymar is due to testify on Friday 21 October, in which he'll be able to tell his side of the story. So far, all the defendants have denied any wrongdoing, and it'll be up to the court to decide whether Neymar and Barcelona are guilty or not.
Either way, it's unlikely Neymar will play for PSG against Ajaccio due to the court date.
