Barcelona Star Neymar Faces Probe for Tax Fraud in Brazil

The Brazilian soccer star Neymar and his father are being investigated by the Brazilian tax audit authorities over possible tax evasion between 2011 and 2014, the Brazilian Epoca magazine reported Friday.

The magazine said that the investigation began in March when auditors requested records relating to “unusual cash flow” of US$38 million at N&N Consultoria Esportiva e Empresarial, the company owned by the Neymar's parents.

N&N was founded in October 2011 and received the US$38 million through several payments from Barcelona soccer club over the next couple of years. Neymar joined Barcelona in 2013 for what the club initially said was a US$17 million deal.

The reports comes as the player's former club Santos is planning to sue both the player and Barcelona club over his transfer in 2013.

If found guilty, Neymar could be in line for the biggest fine ever issued to a Brazilian sportsperson.

Neymar isn’t the only Barcelona player facing tax issues. Four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi was the subject of a Spanish complaint that he and his father evaded 4.2 million euros in taxes on promotion payments from Adidas AG, PepsiCo Inc., Procter & Gamble Co. and other companies.  

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