Spanish prosecutors have dropped all corruption charges against Neymar. Neymar was targeted by the prosecution, who demanded a 10-million-euro ($8.62-million) fine and a two-year prison sentence. According to a source close to the legal team defending Neymar, Baker Mckenzie would seek expenses from the private prosecution for what they deemed to be negligence, bad faith, and abuse of the judicial system. Additionally, they reserve the right to make a damage claim. Neymar testified last week in court that he did not take part in the negotiations surrounding his nine-year move from Santos to “childhood dream” club Barcelona, just signing what his father had instructed him to.
The dispute revolved around an assertion made by Brazilian investment firm DIS, which claimed it was cheated out of its due share of the transfer proceeds since the value of the sale was overstated. DIS owned 40% of Neymar’s rights when he was playing for Brazil’s Santos. The alleged crime of which Neymar Jr. and his family were accused in Brazil is likewise not a crime there. According to a court document made public in July, Barcelona started talks with the player in 2011 and paid him €40 million to assure his transfer when his deal with Santos expired in 2014. This prevented other teams from signing him at the time.
Despite having the option to decline, Neymar and his parents chose to testify instead, only taking questions from the prosecution and their own attorneys. Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid, testified before the court via video link that his club made offers to Neymar worth €45 million in 2011 and €36 million in 2013, but the star ultimately decided to join Barcelona.
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