The "big question" regarding Barcelona's signing of Neymar -- which was recently revealed to cost the club a transfer fee of €86.2M -- is whether Barcelona or Neymar "has paid the Spanish tax authorities for the €50M that went to Neymar's father's company, N&N," according to Inda & Urreiztieta of EL MUNDO. It is "expected that the tax authorities will consider the money paid to N&N as 'disguised remuneration,' and if this happens, there would be a tax bill" of €63M ($86M). The Spanish state of Catalonia has the "highest marginal personal tax rate in Spain (56%), and equal top with Sweden in Europe" (EL MUNDO, 1/28).
NEYMAR'S FATHER SPEAKS: In Madrid, David Sanchidrían reported Neymar's father, Neymar da Silva Santos, "spoke in defense of his son to allow Neymar to compete in the World Cup free from speculation." Neymar Sr. said, "Neymar was only going to leave Santos to go to Barcelona. My job was to protect and strengthen the agreement. I am explaining this to secure peace for my son. I do not want this to generate confusion. I repeat that I do not owe anything to the tax authorities in Brazil or Spain, absolutely nothing" (AS, 1/28).
REAL-BARCELONA CONFLICT: AS reported Real Madrid has "issued a statement" demanding that Xavi Bosch, a journalist with Catalonia radio station RAC1, provide a "clear and immediate rectification" of reports on Monday. Bosch claimed that Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez "used influential contacts" to ensure that Barcelona member Jordi Cases' lawsuit against Sandro Rosell "would be heard at Spain’s National High Court." Real Madrid's statement said that the allegations were "totally false." Real Madrid also demanded in its statement that Bosch "issue a clear and immediate rectification on the same radio station." Real also said in its statement that "if this rectification is not made," Pérez will sue Bosch (AS, 1/28).
