Neymar facing fraud charges in Brazil

Barcelona star Neymar could face fraud charges in Brazil after local prosecutors recommended to bring him to trial over alleged tax evasion.

The Sao Paulo public prosecution office (MFP) has claimed that front companies were created to hide the true value of Neymar's income.

According to the MPF, Neymar should have paid 27.5% in tax on income made from marketing and image rights dating back to 2006.

Investigators allege the forward paid a rate of just 12.53% after money was channelled into the companies owned by his father, Neymar Sr.

Prosecutors have also accused Neymar, Neymar Sr, current Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell of irregularities related to the player's 2013 transfer to the Camp Nou. All have denied any wrongdoing.

The Brazilian case is separate from fraud allegations against Neymar and his father Spain.

Both men appeared in court in Madrid on Tuesday to give evidence about his transfer from Santos.

Rosell resigned as Barcelona chairman in January 2014 amid accusations that he swindled Spanish tax authorities out of 13 million euros.

Last week a Sao Paulo judge ordered Neymar and his father to pay nearly 460,000 reais (115,000 US dollars) for taxes owed from 2007 and 2008. Endit