Sports

Supreme Court upholds Neymar acquittal in Barcelona transfer case

Spain’s Supreme Court has upheld the acquittal of Brazilian football star Neymar and former Barcelona officials over corruption allegations linked to his 2013 transfer to FC Barcelona.

 

The ruling confirms earlier decisions by a Spanish court that cleared Neymar, his parents, and former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell of corruption and fraud charges.

 

The case was filed by Brazilian investment firm DIS, which claimed it lost financial value from the transfer after holding 40% of Neymar’s sporting rights during his time at Santos FC.

 

DIS argued it was not informed of a prior exclusivity agreement between Neymar and Barcelona and said it was deprived of earnings it was entitled to from the deal.

 

However, the Supreme Court ruled that “the proven facts have revealed the inconsistency of the accusation,” adding that there was no evidence of corruption or fraud by any of the accused parties.

 

The court stated that the transfer was a sporting decision by Barcelona aimed at securing Neymar’s signing amid interest from rival clubs.

 

DIS had sought to recover €35 million, claiming it was underpaid in the transfer arrangement.

 

The original deal was valued at €57.1 million, with payments split between Neymar’s management company, Santos, and DIS.

 

Prosecutors had earlier dropped criminal charges seeking jail terms and fines, bringing an end to one of football’s most closely watched legal disputes involving a major European transfer.

Olayinka Babatunde

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