Barcelona star Neymar ordered to pay $52 million after being found guilty of tax fraud in Brazil.

Barcelona star football forward Neymar has been found guilty of tax evasion and ordered to pay back $52 million by a court in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to Folha de São Paulo. He will appeal the fine, which refers to around $16 million in undeclared earnings from former club Santos, Barcelona and his main sponsor Nike between the years 2012 and 2014.

The player is accused of using simulated image rights contracts between three companies set up by himself and his parents to pay less tax than he would have had he declared the lucrative contracts as his personal earnings. Last month the player had $46 million worth of assets frozen including a private jet, yacht and several properties.

The investigation in Brazil has run parallel to two more fraud probes. One in Spain based on accusations that Barcelona did not declare the full cost of Neymar when they signed him from Santos, instead disguising part of his transfer fee as other transactions.

And a related complaint by the Brazilian investment fund DIS which claims that if indeed Neymar’s transfer was for more than the $64 million Barcelona claimed, they are owed money from the sale because they owned 40% of the player’s rights.

At: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3500028/Barcelona-star-Neymar-ordered-pay-36m-guilty-tax-fraud-Brazil.html