Barcelona sue Neymar

Spanish club FC Barcelona have sued Brazilian superstar Neymar for £9 million in overpaid wages, according to reports. Barcelona are believed to have miscalculated taxes during Neymar’s first two years at the club.

After already forcing their former forward, 28, to pay back £5.9 million in an unpaid bonus row, the Nou Camp are now desperately trying to claim back more money.  According to El Mundo, Barcelona reviewed their 2015 financial year taxes and spotted an alleged error.  It meant the club apparently paid Neymar £9 million too much.  

However, the Spanish Tax Agency told Barcelona failure to resolve the situation will see the £9 million classed as a ‘donation’ to the Brazilian. It is the latest financial row between Barcelona and Neymar since his world-record £198 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 which sees him earn around £600,000 per week.  

Ironically in January, reports stated Neymar was actually suing Barcelona for £3 million over unpaid salaries. But the dispute also includes Santos, the club Neymar left to sign for Barca in 2013.

Barca’s former president Josep Maria Bartomeu – ousted last month – was charged with tax fraud and corruption for his part in the transfer while the club admitted they actually paid £78 million for the star – and not the £49 million originally reported. Brazilian investment company DIS then brought a case of their own, claiming they were due 40 per cent of that transfer fee while Neymar’s parents reportedly pocketed £34 million.

In February, Santos were still chasing £3.75 million they thought they were owed due to a friendly match featuring the 103-cap superstar not taking place.  Separately, it was revealed earlier this year Neymar owes the Spanish Treasury £30.7 million in unpaid taxes and debt accumulation.

Barcelona have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and need to cut the wage bill by around £171 million to help balance the books – while player sales are likely.  

Stars already accepted a wage decrease, said to be as much as 70 per cent, in the spring amid the onset of the pandemic.  Gerard Pique, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Clement Lenglet and Frenkie de Jong all signed new deals on reduced wages last month.