Authorities fine soccer star Neymar $3.3 million

Authorities in the city of Mangaratiba on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro state have fined national team forward Neymar 16 million reais (more than $3.3 million) for building an artificial lake and swimming area at his estate, the G1 website reported.

According to local prosecutors, the player did not provide the necessary environmental oversight for the job. He is also accused of “displacing soil” and “destroying vegetation”.

Jogador foi multado por iniciar a obra sem licença, por movimentar terra sem autorização ambiental, e ainda por descumprir embargo judicial e entar no lago interditado https://t.co/IXJUqIpBXT #g1

More on this topic:

Messi says Neymar’s absence from Copa America is a ‘shame’

— g1 (@g1) July 3, 2023

Earlier, local ecologists, following an anonymous complaint, inspected Neymar’s home and found violations of environmental standards, including unauthorized use of water from one of the rivers. Then they also decided to ban the use of the reservoir and the bathing area, fencing them off and pasting messages, but this did not prevent Neymar, after a few days, from posting photos on his social networks of him bathing in the lake in violation of the ban. The footballer now has 20 days to appeal the decision of the local authorities.