Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar is reportedly set to miss Friday's Ligue 1 clash with AC Ajaccio due to a court hearing over his move to Barcelona.
The 30-year-old left Santos in 2013 to sign for the Catalan giants, spending four years at Camp Nou before becoming the world's most expensive player in a switch to PSG.
Santos received £79.2m for the transfer of Neymar to Barcelona, but it has been alleged that a Brazilian investment firm - who owned 40% of Neymar's economic rights while he was at Santos - did not receive their full payment for their part in the deal.
Through their lawyer Paulo Nasser, DIS have claimed that Neymar "betrayed" their trust, and the investment firm supposedly want Neymar to be hit with a five-year jail sentence.
In addition, DIS are also said to want the Brazil international to be fined as much as €149m (£129.8m) and forbidden from playing competitive football while during the length of any sentence.
© Reuters
According to Football Transfers, Neymar appeared in court on Monday, accompanied by former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, the latter of whom was at the helm when the attacker joined in 2013.
The report adds that the trio are now answering to charges of fraud and corruption from prosecutors, and Neymar will also be in court on Friday as he bids to clear his name.
With the Ligue 1 leaders travelling to newly-promoted Ajaccio on the same evening, Neymar is not expected to be available for Christophe Galtier's side this week.
Neymar, Bartomeu and Rosell have all vehemently denied the allegations against them so far, but DIS alleges that a fee of just €17m (£14.8m) was presented to them as the cost of the former's move to Camp Nou.
"Neymar, with the connivance of his parents and the boards of directors of Barcelona and Santos, betrayed the trust of my clients," said the firm's lawyer Nasser. "The real cost of the transaction [between Santos and Barcelona] was €82m, and only €17m appeared as the official transfer."
© Reuters
Spanish prosecutors are reported to be seeking a two-year jail term for the attacker, compared to the five-year sentence DIS want, as well as a fine of €10m (£8.7m).
Meanwhile, Rosell - who served as Barcelona president between 2010 and 2014 - could be hit with a five-year jail term if found guilty.
Neymar amassed 105 goals and 76 assists in 186 games for Barcelona before joining PSG, where he has since recorded 112 goals and 69 assists in 160 outings.
The South American has started the 2022-23 season in impressive form for the French champions, scoring 12 goals and setting up nine more in 16 games in all competitions.
No Data Analysis info
