Neymar’s transfer to PSG under investigation by French authorities

An investigation is underway in France regarding the record-breaking €222 million transfer of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017, as reported by “Le Parisien” and “Mediapart.”

According to the sources, on Monday, the French Ministry of Finance was raided by the Central Anti-Corruption and Tax Fraud Service, in the presence of investigating judges.

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The suspicions revolve around tax exemptions granted to PSG during Neymar’s transfer from Barcelona in the summer of 2017. The then Minister of Public Finances, Gérald Darmanin, and his chief of staff at the time, Jérôme Fournel, are alleged to have played a role in this. It is claimed that the minister acted as a tax adviser to the club to the detriment of the French treasury. When contacted by French media, Gérald Darmanin’s entourage declined to comment on the investigation.

French media quotes statements from the politician at the time, expressing his enthusiasm for Neymar’s transfer and assuring that Neymar would pay his taxes in France, with detailed monitoring of the financial aspects of the transfer agreement. Darmanin himself addressed the issue a few days ago, stating, “If Neymar had not come, taxes would not have been paid, football jerseys with his name would not have been sold, and social security contributions would not have been collected.” On Tuesday, the president of the finance committee in the National Assembly, Éric Coquerel, requested that the government provide “as soon as possible” the tax documents related to this transfer.