Neymar, Barcelona, Santos Lose Appeal, to Face Fraud, Corruption Charges

Barcelona, Santos and star forward Neymar all had their appeals turned down by a Spanish high court and will stand trial on charges of fraud and corruption.  

Reuters (for Sky Sports) shared a statement from the court, which added Neymar's mother and the family company to the list:  "Santos FC, Barcelona FC, Neymar, his mother Nadine Goncalves and N&N, the family company, have lost their appeals to have charges of fraud and corruption dropped."

Per the report, Brazilian investment group DIS complained they didn't receive all the money owed to them when Neymar made the move from Santos to Barcelona in 2013. 

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It's the latest in a series of legal setbacks for the Brazil international. According to Folha de S. Paulo (h/t ESPN FC), Brazilian courts ordered him to pay a staggering €45.9 million in fines and back-taxes last year. Barcelona also paid over €5 million to the Spanish state in a settlement, per Sky Sports's Allan Valente.

Dermot Corrigan outlined the scandal in a lengthy article for Bleacher Report.

The forward was one of the most wanted players in the world when Santos started negotiating his exit in 2013, and DIS held part of his transfer rights. According to the Telegraph, Barcelona claimed to have paid €57.1 million for his services, but the authorities believe the real cost was €83.3 million.

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DIS was entitled to 40 percent of the transfer fee. The group has asked for a five-year prison sentence for Neymar, but the state has suggested a two-year sentence. Under Spanish law, sentences of two years or shorter are usually suspended for a first offence, but Neymar could be banned from playing if DIS get their way.