Barcelona: We did not commit tax fraud to get Neymar's signature

Sandro Rosell (left) with Josep Maria Bartomeu

Barcelona football club have reiterated that they have done nothing wrong to deserve the attention of the courts regarding tax fraud. There were allegations of tax fraud when they signed Neymar last year as the prosecuters accused them of “pretend contracts” and “financial engineering”.

Barcelona released a statement yesterday that read, “The club’s actions have, at all times, regarding that operation (to sign Neymar) and in line with the available information, been fully compliant with existing law.”

The club also revealed that they will justify their actions by sending legal representatives in the coming days, as will they comply to all the required questioning with the court authorities.

“At the same time (Barca) states its complete availability to collaborate with the justice authorities in this process, as it has been doing from the first moment, or in any other that might require its intervention.”

Neymar was signed during the tenure of Sandro Rosell who stepped down as President last month. He was replaced by Vice President Josep Bartomeu who later revealed that Neymar cost €86.2 million. The package included payments to Neymar and his family.

Neymar was not pleased with the news and said, “I am sick and tired of this. I’ve had enough of all this talk,”

“I am a fan of my dad for having put me where I am, and if he makes millions from that, what’s the big deal? He worked for it, it didn’t just fall in his lap.”

“Enough is enough. Sorry, Santos fans, but my love for the club won’t change because of ‘one or two people’.”

The earlier fee was reported to be €57.1 million.