Thursday, 20th February, 2014
Barcelona have been slapped with charges of "tax infringement" by Spanish courts over the transfer of Neymar.
The club are already under a cloud over misappropriation of funds related to the transfer fee, a saga that saw Sandro Rosell resign from his post as president.
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The separate investigation into the tax issues today went to the public prosecutor, even as Barcelona yesterday stated their intention to fight any charges.
Barcelona are understood to be accused of allegedly defrauding on tax to the tune of €9.1m.
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A court spokesman was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying: "Judge Pablo Ruz has charged FC Barcelona with an infringement against the tax authority relating to the purchase of the Brazilian player."
Rosell's resignation had come amid reports that Barcelona paid Neymar's parents £34m out of the total £48.6m required for his signature.
The misappropriation of funds has now been capped with the tax-related charges, though Barcelona were seemingly playing the defiant card until yesterday.
A statement on the club website had read: "The performance of the club with respect to this transaction and in accordance with the information available, has been, at all times, fully in accordance with the legal regulations.
"In the coming days, witnessing, through lawyer and solicitor before the Central Court of Instruction n.5, for the proper defence of their rights and interests.
"The club also express its full readiness to cooperate with the administration of justice in this procedure, as it has been attending since the beginning, or anywhere else where their intervention is required."
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