Josep Maria Bartomeu, Sandro Rosell Reportedly to Answer in Neymar Court Case

Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell have both reportedly been ordered to outline their roles in the club’s signing of Neymar from Santos in 2013, as the tax fraud case over the Brazilian’s transfer edges closer to court.  

News of the charges came via Cataluyna Radio (h/t Sid Lowe of the Guardian). It means the initial ruling made by the Madrid-based court, which has subsequently been moved to Barcelona, has been upheld in Catalonia.

According to Cataluyna Radio (h/t Sergi Font of Marca), Bartomeu and Rosell have now been formally charged and will have to provide a written defence within the next 20 days, outlining their respective involvements in the deal.

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As noted by Lowe, the case against Rosell and Bartomeu is built upon the notion that the transfer of Neymar defrauded the taxman out of €12.7 million (£9.33 million). 

Barcelona had claimed to pay €57.1 million (then £48.6 million) for Neymar, but it’s been alleged by the prosecution the figure was in excess of €80 million, and a plethora of different sums paid were considered to be part of the player’s salary, not the transfer fee.

It’s noted by Lowe that prosecutors are pushing for a fine of €22.2 million (£16.31 million) for the club. According to Lowe, "Bartomeu and Rosell could face prison sentences of two years and three months, and seven years respectively."

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Rosell resigned from his post as Blaugrana president in January 2014, citing an “unfair and reckless accusation of misappropriation” in regards to the case. Former vice-president Bartomeu was named as his successor, and despite the controversy, he was elected to stay on for another term this summer.

Barcelona have maintained the pair’s innocence throughout the saga, with Bartomeu himself even hinting at a Madrid bias purposefully “trying to create difficulties” for the European champions, per RAC1 (h/t Miles Chambers of Goal.com).

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Since signing for the Blaugrana, Neymar has been a huge success. After a first season of transition, the winger formed an astonishing attacking triumvirate alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez during the 2014-15 season, firing Barcelona to glory in the Copa del Rey, La Liga and the Champions League.