Neymar only signed documents his father gave him and did nothing illegal, the Brazil superstar told a Spanish court Tuesday where he is on trial for alleged irregularities over his transfer to Barcelona nearly a decade ago.

"My father has always been in charge" of contract negotiations, the 30-year-old told the Barcelona court hearing the case. "I sign what he tells me to." The trial is the culmination of a years-long legal saga over his 2013 transfer, with Neymar one of nine defendants in the dock on corruption-related charges, among them his parents and their N&amp;N company, which manages his affairs.

The proceedings began barely a month before the November 20 start of the World Cup, at which Neymar is expected to play a key role for Brazil.&nbsp; Dressed in a dark suit and white shirt, the footballer said he didn't remember if he participated in talks leading to a pre-contract deal with Barcelona in 2011 ahead of his transfer two years later from the Brazilian club Santos.

He said he had always dreamed of playing for Barca so he had prioritised their offer over that of other clubs, such as Real Madrid.&nbsp;

"Neymar never takes part in the negotiations," his father Neymar Da Silva Santos told the court.&nbsp;

If convicted, prosecutors have called for a two-year jail term and a 10-million-euro ($9.7 million) fine for the footballer who since 2017 has played for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).&nbsp;

Prison terms of two years or less are never enforced in Spain for a first-time offender.

<h2>- Complicity to defraud -</h2>

Investigators began probing the transfer after a 2015 complaint filed by DIS, a Brazilian company that owned 40 percent of the player's sporting rights when he was at Santos.

The firm claims that Neymar, Barcelona and the Brazilian club colluded to mask the true cost of his transfer thereby defrauding it of its legitimate financial interests.&nbsp; Barca said the transfer was valued at 57.1 million euros, with 40 million euros paid to N&amp;N and 17.1 million to Santos, of which 6.8 million was given to DIS.

Spanish prosecutors believe the actual value was at least 83 million euros. Neymar had originally been due to testify later in the month but the court agreed to bring forward his appearance in order to avoid a clash with his busy PSG schedule.&nbsp; After testifying, the court agreed Neymar and his family could return to Paris immediately and take part in the trial's conclusion, expected on October 31,&nbsp;by video conference.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brazil-star-neymar-arrives-at-barcelona-court-to-face-trial-on-fraud-and-corruption-charges-over-2013-transfer-526086">Brazil star Neymar arrives at Barcelona court to face trial on fraud and corruption charges over 2013 transfer</a>

The PSG forward, who scored the only goal of their Ligue 1 match against Marseille on Sunday night, had spent two hours in court on Monday for the opening of the trial but was excused by the judge to allow him time to rest.&nbsp;

<h2>- 'Not my responsibility' -</h2>

DIS also claims financial harm from the 2011 pre-contract agreement with Barca saying it had impeded other clubs from making offers and affected the value of the transfer fee. But Neymar Sr told the court the talks had been authorised by the Brazilian club at the time and that "it was Santos' responsibility" to inform DIS, and not his.&nbsp;

Other defendants in the dock include two former Barca presidents, Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, and ex-Santos boss Odilio Rodrigues Filho. DIS is seeking to recover 35 million euros.

Neymar's lawyers insist their client is innocent, saying the 40-million-euro payment from Barca was a "legal signing bonus which is normal in the football transfer market". The footballer is having one of his best seasons since he joined PSG. His Sunday night goal against Marseille was his ninth league goal of the season, and he has seven assists in 11 Ligue 1 matches.

Neymar is expected to play a key role for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar, as the South American giants seek to win the trophy for the first time since 2002, and the sixth in total.&nbsp; He will lead the Selecao into their Group G opener against Serbia on November 24.&nbsp;

Neymar only signed documents his father gave him and did nothing illegal, the Brazil superstar told a Spanish court Tuesday where he is on trial for alleged irregularities over his transfer to Barcelona nearly a decade ago.

Neymar only signed documents his father gave him and did nothing illegal, the Brazil superstar told a Spanish court Tuesday where he is on trial for alleged irregularities over his transfer to Barcelona nearly a decade ago. "My father has always been in charge" of contract negotiations, the 30-year-old told the Barcelona court hearing the case. "I sign what he tells me to." The trial is the culmination of a years-long legal saga over his 2013 transfer, with Neymar one of nine defendants in the dock on corruption-related charges, among them his parents and their N&N company, which manages his affairs. The proceedings began barely a month before the November 20 start of the World Cup, at which Neymar is expected to play a key role for Brazil. Dressed in a dark suit and white shirt, the footballer said he didn't remember if he participated in talks leading to a pre-contract deal with Barcelona in 2011 ahead of his transfer two years later from the Brazilian club Santos. He said he had always dreamed of playing for Barca so he had prioritised their offer over that of other clubs, such as Real Madrid. "Neymar never takes part in the negotiations," his father Neymar Da Silva Santos told the court. If convicted, prosecutors have called for a two-year jail term and a 10-million-euro ($9.7 million) fine for the footballer who since 2017 has played for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Prison terms of two years or less are never enforced in Spain for a first-time offender. - Complicity to defraud - Investigators began probing the transfer after a 2015 complaint filed by DIS, a Brazilian company that owned 40 percent of the player's sporting rights when he was at Santos. The firm claims that Neymar, Barcelona and the Brazilian club colluded to mask the true cost of his transfer thereby defrauding it of its legitimate financial interests. Barca said the transfer was valued at 57.1 million euros, with 40 million euros paid to N&N and 17.1 million to Santos, of which 6.8 million was given to DIS. Spanish prosecutors believe the actual value was at least 83 million euros. Neymar had originally been due to testify later in the month but the court agreed to bring forward his appearance in order to avoid a clash with his busy PSG schedule. After testifying, the court agreed Neymar and his family could return to Paris immediately and take part in the trial's conclusion, expected on October 31, by video conference. ALSO READ | Brazil star Neymar arrives at Barcelona court to face trial on fraud and corruption charges over 2013 transfer The PSG forward, who scored the only goal of their Ligue 1 match against Marseille on Sunday night, had spent two hours in court on Monday for the opening of the trial but was excused by the judge to allow him time to rest. - 'Not my responsibility' - DIS also claims financial harm from the 2011 pre-contract agreement with Barca saying it had impeded other clubs from making offers and affected the value of the transfer fee. But Neymar Sr told the court the talks had been authorised by the Brazilian club at the time and that "it was Santos' responsibility" to inform DIS, and not his. Other defendants in the dock include two former Barca presidents, Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, and ex-Santos boss Odilio Rodrigues Filho. DIS is seeking to recover 35 million euros. Neymar's lawyers insist their client is innocent, saying the 40-million-euro payment from Barca was a "legal signing bonus which is normal in the football transfer market". The footballer is having one of his best seasons since he joined PSG. His Sunday night goal against Marseille was his ninth league goal of the season, and he has seven assists in 11 Ligue 1 matches. Neymar is expected to play a key role for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar, as the South American giants seek to win the trophy for the first time since 2002, and the sixth in total. He will lead the Selecao into their Group G opener against Serbia on November 24.

Brazil striker Neymar denies wrongdoing in court over Barcelona transfer

Brazilian football star Neymar has been asked to appear before Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors “urgently” to provide a statement after reports emerged that the Paris Saint-Germain star is holding a five-day New Year’s party with as many as 150 guests. However, the player’s media officer has denied hosting any event in Neymar’s luxury condominium in Mangaratiba, 105 km down the coast from Rio.

Authorities stated that several complaints have been received about the event, which the Brazilian media reported was being held in Mangaratiba.

State prosecutors said that Neymar and condominium representatives had been asked to provide “details about the number of people invited, the party’s organization and the health measures adopted”.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brazil-prosecutors-investigate-alleged-neymar-new-years-party-353546" hreflang="en">Brazil prosecutors investigate alleged Neymar New Years party</a>

Day Crespo, Neymar’s media officer told Reuters that the player “will not host any party this year, we are in the middle of a pandemic and he is with his friends and family”.

Crespo said that the player flew to Santa Catarina state. On Wednesday, Neymar posted a photograph on social media platform Instagram where he was tagged from Balneario Camboriu.

After the details of the event were revealed in newspapers, the agency organising the party said it would be subject to stringent health rules in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19 virus. The event was private and all relevant permissions have been obtained, it added, without mentioning Neymar or the name of any host.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-hamilton-to-ronaldo-athletes-who-tested-positive-for-covid-19-in-2020-352776" hreflang="en">From Hamilton to Ronaldo: Athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020</a>

Earlier on Thursday, newspapers said that guests had arrived at the luxurious mansion where the player owns property.

Meanwhile, the dreaded coronavirus has killed more than 192,000 people in Brazil and on Wednesday, 1,194 people were reported to have died from the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-neymars-new-year-bash-sparks-outrage-353688">WATCH|</a>

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Brazilian football star Neymar has been asked to appear before Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors “urgently” to provide a statement after reports emerged that the Paris Saint-Germain star is holding a five-day New Year’s party with as many as 150 guests.

Brazilian football star Neymar has been asked to appear before Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors “urgently” to provide a statement after reports emerged that the Paris Saint-Germain star is holding a five-day New Year’s party with as many as 150 guests. However, the player’s media officer has denied hosting any event in Neymar’s luxury condominium in Mangaratiba, 105 km down the coast from Rio. Authorities stated that several complaints have been received about the event, which the Brazilian media reported was being held in Mangaratiba. State prosecutors said that Neymar and condominium representatives had been asked to provide “details about the number of people invited, the party’s organization and the health measures adopted”. ALSO READ: Brazil prosecutors investigate alleged Neymar New Years party Day Crespo, Neymar’s media officer told Reuters that the player “will not host any party this year, we are in the middle of a pandemic and he is with his friends and family”. Crespo said that the player flew to Santa Catarina state. On Wednesday, Neymar posted a photograph on social media platform Instagram where he was tagged from Balneario Camboriu. After the details of the event were revealed in newspapers, the agency organising the party said it would be subject to stringent health rules in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19 virus. The event was private and all relevant permissions have been obtained, it added, without mentioning Neymar or the name of any host. ALSO READ: From Hamilton to Ronaldo: Athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 Earlier on Thursday, newspapers said that guests had arrived at the luxurious mansion where the player owns property. Meanwhile, the dreaded coronavirus has killed more than 192,000 people in Brazil and on Wednesday, 1,194 people were reported to have died from the virus. WATCH| ×

Neymar asked to provide statement to Brazil courts over New Year party plans

Brazilian forward&nbsp;Neymar&nbsp;faces a corruption trial in Spain in connection with the value placed on his 2013 transfer from Santos to Barcelona, the Spanish National High Court said on Thursday.

The defendants in the pending trial are the player, his parents, the two clubs, current and former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, and former Santos president Odilio Rodrigues, according to a court statement.

Bartomeu, Rosell, Barcelona and Santos also face trial on fraud charges, along with former Santos president Odilio Rodrigues, the statement said.

&quot;We are very happy as this was a favourable decision for us,&quot; Altamiro Bezerra, an advisor to NN Consultoria told Reuters.

&quot;It has eliminated the question of fraud in the contracts and we are also certain that we will be absolved of corruption.&quot;

The case stems from a complaint by DIS, a Brazilian company that owned 40 percent of the rights to&nbsp;Neymar&nbsp;when he was at Santos. It argues it lost out on its rightful cut from the transfer because the true value of the deal was understated.

Prosecutors said in November that&nbsp;Neymar&nbsp;should be fined 10 million euros ($11 million) and handed a two-year jail sentence. For first-time offenders in non-violent crimes, sentences of two years and under are suspended in Spain and it is unlikely the player would serve any prison time.

Barcelona said at the time of&nbsp;Neymar&#39;s move that the transfer figure was 57.1 million euros, of which 40 million was paid to&nbsp;Neymar&rsquo;s family.

DIS received a 40 per cent share of the remaining 17.1 million that was paid to Santos. But the court put the actual value of the rights to the player that were transferred to Barcelona at 25.2 million euros, and said DIS&#39;s cut should have been based on that amount.

&quot;The Judge has set bonds of 3,429,768 euros as pecuniary liability for Rosell, Bartomeu, Rodrigues, Football Club Barcelona and Santos Football Club, which must be paid by all jointly,&quot; the court said in a statement.

Barcelona did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment. No one was available to comment at Santos, while a spokesperson for DIS said they were pleased with the ruling.

The transfer has given rise to several investigations in Spain and Brazil.

Last June, Barcelona agreed to pay a fine of 5.5 million euros to the Spanish authorities to settle a related tax fraud case.

(Reuters)

&nbsp;

Barcelona, Bartomeu, Rosell and Santos also face trial on fraud charges, along with former Santos president Odilio Rodrigues

Brazilian forward Neymar faces a corruption trial in Spain in connection with the value placed on his 2013 transfer from Santos to Barcelona, the Spanish National High Court said on Thursday. The defendants in the pending trial are the player, his parents, the two clubs, current and former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, and former Santos president Odilio Rodrigues, according to a court statement. Bartomeu, Rosell, Barcelona and Santos also face trial on fraud charges, along with former Santos president Odilio Rodrigues, the statement said. "We are very happy as this was a favourable decision for us," Altamiro Bezerra, an advisor to NN Consultoria told Reuters. "It has eliminated the question of fraud in the contracts and we are also certain that we will be absolved of corruption." The case stems from a complaint by DIS, a Brazilian company that owned 40 percent of the rights to Neymar when he was at Santos. It argues it lost out on its rightful cut from the transfer because the true value of the deal was understated. Prosecutors said in November that Neymar should be fined 10 million euros ($11 million) and handed a two-year jail sentence. For first-time offenders in non-violent crimes, sentences of two years and under are suspended in Spain and it is unlikely the player would serve any prison time. Barcelona said at the time of Neymar's move that the transfer figure was 57.1 million euros, of which 40 million was paid to Neymar’s family. DIS received a 40 per cent share of the remaining 17.1 million that was paid to Santos. But the court put the actual value of the rights to the player that were transferred to Barcelona at 25.2 million euros, and said DIS's cut should have been based on that amount. "The Judge has set bonds of 3,429,768 euros as pecuniary liability for Rosell, Bartomeu, Rodrigues, Football Club Barcelona and Santos Football Club, which must be paid by all jointly," the court said in a statement. Barcelona did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment. No one was available to comment at Santos, while a spokesperson for DIS said they were pleased with the ruling. The transfer has given rise to several investigations in Spain and Brazil. Last June, Barcelona agreed to pay a fine of 5.5 million euros to the Spanish authorities to settle a related tax fraud case. (Reuters)

Neymar faces corruption trial over transfer fraud charges

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Brazil striker Neymar denies wrongdoing in court over Barcelona transfer

Neymar asked to provide statement to Brazil courts over New Year party plans

Neymar faces corruption trial over transfer fraud charges