Neymar is one of the most talented footballers in the world. He is also one of the most controversial. The Brazilian forward is currently facing a five-year prison sentence over his transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013.
The charges against Neymar relate to alleged irregularities in the transfer deal. Prosecutors allege that Neymar’s father, who was also his agent, accepted a bribe from Barcelona in return for ensuring that his son moved to the Spanish club.
Neymar has denied any wrongdoing and his lawyers have argued that the case against him is politically motivated. However, the Brazilian courts will have the final say on the matter.
If Neymar is found guilty, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison. However, it is unlikely that he would actually serve any time behind bars, as first-time offenders in Brazil usually receive a suspended sentence.
The Neymar case is just the latest in a long line of scandals to hit Brazilian football. The country’s governing body, the CBF, has been embroiled in corruption allegations for years.
In 2015, the president of the CBF, Ricardo Teixeira, resigned from his post after he was accused of taking bribes. And in 2016, the former head of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, was arrested on suspicion of corruption.
The scandals have led to calls for reform of Brazilian football. However, it remains to be seen if anything will actually change.
In the meantime, Neymar will continue to be one of the most talented and controversial footballers in the world.
