Prosecution drop charges against Neymar, Bartomeu & others in DIS case

After the declarations of former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu on Friday, the Spanish prosecutor has dropped the charges against all the accused in the case relating to Neymar's 2013 transfer from Santos to Barça.

Prosecutors were seeking a two-year prison sentence for Neymar and a €10m fine in a case brought about the Brazilian company DIS, who owned 40% of the player's economic rights when he signed for Barça and alleged fraud and corruption from those involved to avoid paying them their share of the deal.

The prosecution had also sought a five-year jail term for former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and an €8.4m fine for Barcelona.

"There is not the slightest hint of crime," prosecutor Luis Garcia Canton said on Friday, asking the judge for the "acquittal of all defendants."

During a two-week case, Neymar, his father, his mother, Rosell, Bartomeu and even Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had all testified as part of the trial.

Baker McKenzie, the firm representing Neymar, will claim costs against the private prosecution for recklessness, acting in poor faith and for abuse of process. They also reserve the right to claim for damages.

DIS will continue to seek damages but its case loses weight with this decision.