Monday 7 November 2016 21:48, UK
A Spanish judge has accepted corruption charges against Neymar for irregularities regarding his transfer to Barcelona, opening the way for a trial involving the Brazilian forward and his parents.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and former president Sandro Rosell are also set to stand trial after a complaint by Brazilian investment group DIS.
DIS was entitled to 40 per cent of Neymar's transfer from Brazilian club Santos in 2013 but said it received a smaller compensation than it should have because part of the transfer fee was concealed.
Fraud charges were accepted against Barcelona, Santos and a former president of the Brazilian club.
With Monday's ruling by National Court judge Jose de la Mata, prosecutors will have 10 days to formalise their request for a trial, although Barcelona have said they will appeal against his decision.
A statement read: "The board expressed its surprise and total disagreement with this development and its reasoning, especially taking into account the same magistrate's decision to dismiss the case last July, and the public prosecutors weren't proposing taking action against the president Bartomeu.
"If the judicial action starts, FC Barcelona will maintain the argument that it has defended throughout this process to maintain the innocence of those who are being investigated."
The ruling was expected after prosecutors won an appeal to keep the case alive two months ago.
De la Mata had shelved the complaint by DIS earlier this year, but a group of judges ruled that there was enough evidence to reopen the case.
Neymar and his father, who acts as the player's agent, appeared in a Madrid court in February to defend themselves. All other parties being accused by prosecutors have also denied wrongdoing.
In June, Barcelona paid a fine of €5.5m (£4.89m) to settle a separate case brought by Spain's tax authorities. In that agreement, the club acknowledged it made "an error in the fiscal planning of the player's transfer".
Barcelona said the price of Neymar's transfer was €57.1m (£50.82m), with Santos receiving €17.1m (£15.22m).
Prosecutors said the total amount paid by the Spanish club to Santos was €25.1m (£22.34m), meaning DIS would be entitled to an additional €3.2m (£2.85m).
Prosecutors said the difference comes from payments made by Barcelona for the future acquisitions of other players, as well as partnerships for friendly matches between the clubs.
According to court documents, DIS paid 5 million reals (£1.26m) for its 40 per cent of Neymar's rights in 2009.
