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Spanish Supreme Court Upholds Neymar’s Acquittal Over 2013 Barcelona Move

The ruling says any dispute over pre-transfer deals belongs in sports or civil law rather than in a criminal case.

Overview

  • Spain’s top court confirmed the Barcelona court’s acquittal, closing the criminal case tied to Neymar’s transfer to FC Barcelona.
  • Judges said there was no evidence of intent to defraud DIS, the company that claimed losses from the deal.
  • The court noted DIS held 40% of Neymar’s economic rights but not the federative rights that permit a club-to-club transfer.
  • Case records show DIS paid 5 million Brazilian reais in 2009 for those economic rights and later received €6.8 million from a €17 million transfer fee in 2013.
  • The decision reinforces that such transfer disputes should be handled under FIFA rules or in civil and commercial forums, not under the criminal code.