Brazil prosecutors probe Neymar transfer details

Brazil's state prosecution service said Wednesday it has called on tax authorities to probe the controversial transfer of star striker Neymar to Barcelona. The details surrounding the deal have already led to the resignation of former Barca chairman Sandro Rosell and sparked a judicial wrangle in Spain. The transfer cost an initial reported 57.1 million euros ($78million), plus a 2-million-euro bonus if the 21-year-old star makes the finals of the FIFA World Player of Year award. But various add-ons take the deal to a total 86 million euros -- including a reported 40 million for N&N, Neymar's family firm run by his father. Neymar senior on Tuesday denied signing a pre-contract with Barcelona until his son had left Santos for the Liga giants-- but did admit to receiving 10 million euros in 2011 to guarantee a move by 2014. In the event, the player moved a year early, joining the Catalan club in the Spanish close-season. The Brazilian authorities are now putting the case under the microscope. "Following new information on the true value of the sale of the player, the prosecution service has asked for elements from the treasury," the prosecutor's office said in a statement. It added it was also studying the possibility of requesting information from the Spanish judicial system after the Spaniards began an investigation of their own. Brazilian prosecutors want to ascertain if potential tax fraud may have taken place. Barca last week unveiled details of the deal after a member of the club made a legal complaint and Spanish lawyers are now poring over the terms of the agreement. According to the Spanish court submission released last week, Barca paid 40 million euros to N&N for breaking an initial agreement to sign Neymar in 2014 and sign him a year earlier. Barcelona said the entire deal cost 86.2 million euros: 57.1 million euros for the transfer -- including 10 for N&N in 2011 and 30 million more last May -- 10 million euros in a signing bonus, 2.7 million euros in commissions, 4.0 million in marketing, 2.5 million for Neymar's foundation and 9.9 million euros in scouting and collaborative deals. Brazil's prosecution service said a first investigation into N&N's tax affairs had proved inconclusive but had shown up undetermined fiscal debts. Source: AFP