Tax probes deepen for Barcelona soccer club over Neymar deal

Two months after the European Union and the Spanish government clashed over allegations seven Spanish clubs received billions of dollars in improper tax breaks, a Madrid court has charged the Barcelona team with tax fraud over the transfer of Brazilian forward Neymar.

According to the Associated Press, Judge Pablo Ruz said there was enough evidence to merit charges over the player’s $77-million move from Brazil’s Santos last summer. Former team president Sandro Rosell is also being investigated over the deal.

Rosell resigned his position after news emerged firm operated by Neymar’s father had received $55 million from the transfer fee. But Ruz’s decision won’t end Barcelona’s problems with the government. This week, the club was charged with fabricating contracts to defraud the Spanish Treasury.

Barcelona has denied the charges but the powerhouse club -- which, along with Spanish rival Real Madrid, are the two richest soccer teams in the world by revenue -- has seen its financial dealings questioned before.

In December, the EU began what it called an “in-depth probe” into charges brought by investors of other European clubs that teams in Spain received tax breaks and loans from the Spanish government. That improper backing, the allegations say, has helped the clubs obtain the top players in the world and dominate club soccer.

In addition to Barcelona, the other clubs named in the probe are Real Madrid, Oasuna, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia and Elche, as well as second-division club Hercules.

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