Current
president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor, Sandro Rosell, face
custodial sentences for tax crimes while the club could be handed a
heavy fine.
Barcelona is set to be summoned to court after
Spanish judge Jose de la Mata approved the decision to put the club and a
number of individuals on trial for tax irregularities over their
transfer deal to sign Neymar.
De la Mata has
confirmed current club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his
predecessor, Sandro Rosell, will face a trial for alleged tax crimes
suggesting they paid more for the player than they revealed to tax
authorities.
Brazil captain Neymar was the subject of the
controversial switch from Santos in 2013 in a deal that ultimately saw
then-Barca president Rosell resign from his position.
The
charges stem from alleged unpaid taxes from a number of fees paid to
third parties, including a 40 million euro fee paid to N&N, a
company owned by the player’s father.
The original fee quoted
for the deal stood at around €57.1m, but later investigations suggested
it was closer to €86m. Meanwhile, Barcelona released the full details of
the transfer in January 2014.
Bartomeu said this month that
the controversy caused by the deal would not harm his aspirations for
re-election, but the latest twist will do little for his campaign,
particularly with former president Joan Laporta said to be ready to
return.
The prosecution have requested custodial sentences be
issued, recommending Rosell receive seven years and six months and
Bartomeu be handed two years and three months – adding the club should
receive a fine of €11.4m.
Credit: Goal
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