Barcelona agree to pay €5.5m fine over Neymar transfer

Barcelona will pay a €5.5million fine over “an error in tax planning”, for Neymar’s transfer from Santos in 2013.

The Brazilian had been requested to stand trial for fraud in relation with his move to the Nou Camp, as Spanish authorities insisted that the player and his father-agent, had hidden the true details of the deal.

Barcelona had claimed they paid a fee of €57m, with €17m going to Santos and the rest going to Neymar’s parents.

Investigators eventually discovered that the La Liga champions paid close to €83m for the forward.

However, Barca have found a resolution to the matter.

“The agreement involves the recognition by the club of an error in tax planning for the signing of the player, for the fiscal years 2011 and 2013, when they did not correctly withhold payments resulting from his incorporation,” a statement on the club’s website read.

“In addition, the club has been exonerated from responsibility for the fiscal year 2014, which was also part of the proceedings.

“The board considers the approval of this agreement to be a positive step, one that puts an end to a situation of legal uncertainty that could have affected the viability of the club’s sporting and economic plan in the coming years.

“Given the importance of this decision, the board has decided to subject the motion to approval at the next general assembly of member delegates.”