In a startling turn of events, French police have raided the French Ministry of Finance as part of the ongoing investigation into Neymar's record-breaking 2017 transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The £198 million deal, sealed six-and-a-half years ago, is facing intense scrutiny over allegations of tax evasion surrounding PSG's acquisition of the Brazilian football sensation.
According to reports from French outlet Mediapart, the Central Office for the Fight against Corruption and Tax Fraud officers conducted the raid at the General Directorate of Public Finances. The investigation suggests that PSG may have received assistance in evading taxes related to Neymar's transfer.
Mediapart points fingers at key figures, including Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin, his former chief of staff Jerome Fournel, and vice-president of the National Assembly Hugues Renso. The news forum accuses them of aiding PSG in avoiding tax obligations.
Fournel, specifically accused of devising strategies to circumvent taxes in the deal, allegedly communicated with PSG's former general director, Jean-Claude Blanc, and ex-director of communications, Jean-Martial Ribes. The police raid is linked to alleged “acts of active corruption and influence peddling” and “passive acts”. It sheds light on the complex web surrounding Neymar's transfer.
Despite the investigation, French Minister of National Education and Young People Amelie Oudea-Castera maintains that nothing “illegal” occurred. Minister Darmanin, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with football players contributing taxes to the country, stating that Neymar's arrival significantly boosted revenue for France.
Neymar, now with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, made the high-profile move last summer in a deal reportedly worth £77.6 million. The PSG saga adds complexity to the intricate world of football transfers, with legal and financial implications that could reshape perceptions of one of the sport's most significant transactions.
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