Tuesday, 25th February, 2014
Barcelona have clarified their need to issue statements regarding tax-fraud charges, adding that they expect their €13.5m in recent payments to be returned.
The Catalan club yesterday confirmed they would be paying the money in relation to "possible interpretations that can be given in all contracts signed".
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Neymar's transfer from Santos is alleged to have prompted tax misappropriation to the tune of €9.1m.
The tax charges are brought by the public prosecutor after a prior set of allegations that saw Sandro Rosell resign as president.
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However, Barcelona continue to insist they have nothing to hide, with vice-president Javier Faus saying in a statement: "We are in the right.
"We are convinced that the money we paid to the Tax Agency, in order to avoid complicating the issue further, will be returned to the club.
“The club has paid €13.5m in order to avoid risks. The tax is only on the €40m, but we have also included the scouting and marketing contracts.
"We have been informed that the contract signed with N&N [Neymar’s parents] could be considered as salary, and we were advised, given this possible interpretation, to make an additional statement."
Meanwhile, president Josep Maria Bartomeu added: "FC Barcelona worked legally in the signing of Neymar. We’ve always been advised by the best lawyers. We have always complied with our fiscal commitments and our debt is zero. We don’t owe taxes."
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