Neymar could be forced to leave Barcelona due to financial fraud probe according to player's father
Neymar’s father has cast a doubt on his son’s future with Barcelona due to the ongoing tax fraud case, as per the reports on Cadena SER. Neymar is alleged to have evaded £10.5 million in Brazil taxes from 2011 to 2013 and this could consequently force the Barca star to leave Spain in the near future.
The 23-year-old’s big-money move from Santos to the Catalan side has been the subject of more than one long-running investigation. Neymar’s former club had even urged FIFA to hand the player a six-month ban. The request was made in accordance with the irregularities in the Brazillian’s transfer.
In September, a Brazillian court had frozen £31.3 million worth of assets registered in the name of Neymar and three companies where the owners are the player and his father. The Brazil captain was accused of not paying the correct taxes between 2011 and 2013 for amounts that account to £10.5m.
The judgment has since then stopped him from selling off any assets before the case is finalized despite having access to all his bank accounts and other liquid assets.
Neymar’s Barcelona contract renewal will depend on results of probe: Neymar Sr.
Although the Barca star is in talks with his club over a new deal, his father has warned that the current investigations could jeopardise his future. Neymar Sr is worried about his son’s image in Spain and has urged the concerned authorities to ‘stop these investigations’. This news could alert Premier League’s Manchester United, who were interested in acquiring his services during summer.
“We are talking about renewal but we need to solve some things,” Neymar’s father said in an interview. “We need to know if Spain accepts our situation. It's hard for us because we are receiving many attacks, from Brazil and from Spain.
“Neymar is a star and works his image here and from Brazil. We need to stop these investigations. We never had such big fiscal problems in Brazil. After arriving in Spain, the attacks began and the attacks have now spread to Brazil.”
“We will respect the contract he has with the club, but we don't want a renewal without peace of mind.”
Although the family is unsettled following the revelations and investigation, Neymar has not let this situation affect him on the pitch and he has been brilliant for the Spanish champions this season. The former Santos forward has been stepping up in Messi's absence and he is currently leading the goalscorers chart in La Liga with 11 goals.