Sports

Spanish Court Acquits Neymar Of Corruption Over Barca Transfer

Published

3 years ago

December 13, 2022

A court in Spain on Tuesday acquitted Brazilian superstar Neymar of corruption charges related to his transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013.

The judges decided to acquit the nine defendants who were being prosecuted in this trial, including FC Barcelona, former club presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, Santos FC and Neymar’s father, the court said in a statement.

Neymar’s high-profile trial got underway in mid-October in Barcelona, just a month before the start of the World Cup in Qatar where the 30-year-old — who is now at French champions Paris Saint Germain — and Brazil crashed out after a penalty shootout against Croatia in the quarter finals.

Prosecutors had initially sought a two-year jail term and a 10-million-euro ($10.5 million) fine for Neymar but in a surprise move they dropped corruption and fraud charges against all the accused at the end of October.

Brazilian sports investment firm DIS, which owned 40 percent of Neymar’s sporting rights when he was at Santos, filed a lawsuit in 2015 alleging it had been defrauded during the player’s transfer to Barcelona.

It claimed Neymar, Barcelona and the Brazilian club colluded to mask the true cost of his transfer thereby cheating it of its proper share of the player’s transfer.

DIS also argued that it was not informed of the existence of an exclusivity contract in 2011 between Neymar and Barcelona.

But Spanish prosecutors, which initially shared DIS’ view, later said the firm’s allegations were not based on “evidence”.

They concluded the case was a matter for civil rather than criminal justice.

Even though prosecutors dropped their charges the case continued because the court was also considering a separate indictment filed by DIS as it is allowed by Spanish law.

DIS was seeking to recover 35 million euros it claims it was cheated of.
AFP

Sports

EPL: Chelsea Set To Sanction First Summer Transfer Under Alonso

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Chelsea are set to sanction their first summer transfer under their new manager, Xabi Alonso.

According to the BBC Sport, the Blues are ‘open’ to selling Filip Jorgensen this summer after the goalkeeper indicated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge.

Jorgensen joined the Premier League west London club two seasons ago from Villarreal.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper was expected to compete for the number one position with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but he made just 11 Premier League appearances over the two seasons.

However, while the arrival of Alonso to Stamford Bridge could lead to a change in fortunes for Jorgensen, the report added that the Danish star has already expressed his desire to leave Chelsea this summer to get more regular playing game-time elsewhere.

Chelsea had blocked a potential exit for Jorgensen in the January transfer window, but the Premier League west London club are now open to a sale, with European and English clubs expected to explore a deal for the goalkeeper.

Sports

EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.

Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.

“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”

Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.

Sports

EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.

“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.

“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.