Neymar has RM168mil tax debt

MADRID: Paris St Germain forward Neymar owes more unpaid tax than any other individual on a Spanish authorities’ blacklist with debts of

34.6mil (RM168mil), according to an official document.

The Brazilian, who played for Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 before moving to the French club for 222mil (RM1bil) in the most expensive transfer in history, tops the list of thousands of names published on the website of the Spanish tax office.

The Spanish press reported last year the country’s tax authorities were pursuing Neymar for fiscal fraud dating back to his time at Barca, but it is the first time the information has been officially confirmed.

The Spanish tax office did not say whether Neymar’s presence on the list was linked to his 2013 transfer to Barcelona from Brazilian club Santos.

But they said to appear on the list of the highest debtors the individuals had to fulfil several criteria, including missing the final deadline to pay the debt.

According to media reports Spain’s fiscal authorities are investigating two of Neymar’s transfers, his arrival at the Nou Camp from Santos in 2013 and his switch to the French capital four years later.

Barca said the deal cost 57.1mil (RM278mil) but according to Spanish authorities the club paid 83.3mil (RM405mil) for the striker.

Meanwhile, no action will be taken against Neymar or Marseille defender Alvaro Gonzalez for alleged discriminatory comments made during a Ligue 1 match, the discipline Commission of the Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) said on Wednesday.

Both players risked suspensions of up to 10 matches for comments allegedly made at the end of an ill-tempered 1-0 win for Marseille in Paris this month.

Neymar said he was targeted with a racist slur at the end of the game on Sept 13. and PSG urged the LFP to investigate.

Neymar was also under investigation for an alleged homophobic comment made to Alvaro.

A brawl broke out at the end of the match and five players were sent off, including Neymar for striking Alvaro on the back of the head. — Agencies