Court freezes £33.1 millon of Neymar's assets

A court in Brazil has frozen £33.1 million worth of Neymar's assets following allegations of tax evasion.

The Sao Paulo federal court alleges that the Barcelona star evaded 63m Brazilian reals (£10.5m) between 2011 and 2013, before his move to La Liga. 

The documentation of the case, presided over by Judge Carlos Muta, states Neymar is “solely responsible for his income declaration", and further claims the player only declared assets worth 19.6m reals (£3.2m)

A judicial order explaining Neymar's assets indicated that the amount frozen was far in excess of the sum alleged to have been evaded in order to cover for potential interests and fines, and for security purposes. 

Property and vehicles owned by Neymar as an individual and three companies he is the principal owner of, along with his father, are included in the order.

The player's parents have since released a statement through their one of their businesses, N & N consultancy, declaring themselves as the sole owners of the monies in question.

“Some explaining is required regarding the freezing of some R$ 118 of Neymar's finances. This is not tax evasion, it's an unfair accusation.

“Neymar is not an associate of either of the companies in question – how can he possibly declare funds he hadn't appropriated?”