Barcelona pay €13.5m in tax over Neymar transfer

The striker joined from Santos in the summer in a complicated deal

Family mattters: Sandro Rosell and Neymar

Barcelona have made a voluntary payment of 13.5million euros to the Spanish tax authorities relating to the signing of Neymar, while again denying any wrongdoing in the transfer.

The Catalan club were last week charged by the Spanish High Court for alleged tax fraud relating to the different payments made during the signing of the Brazil international, who joined from Santos last summer.

Barca have regularly defended their actions over the transfer and they released a statement on Monday following the latest developments.

As well as denying they committed any tax-related crime regarding the move, Barca also announced that on Monday morning they had made a complementary tax declaration of 13,550,830,56 euros (£11,200,000) to "cover any potential interpretation made concerning the contracts signed in the transfer process for Neymar".

The Barca statement read: "The board denies the existence of any tax-related crime in relation to the fiscal obligations arising from the signing of the player.

"We wish to make clear that FC Barcelona has always fulfilled its tax obligations, both in terms of time and method, and has enjoyed close collaboration with the Spanish tax authorities. FC Barcelona has no tax debts.

"The board again insists that in relation to this signing, the club has scrupulously fulfilled its fiscal obligations in line with its awareness at the time of the contracts and agreements signed in good faith.

"Given the existence of a possible divergent interpretation of the exact amount of tax responsibility arising from the signing and to defend the club's reputation and good name, FC Barcelona has this morning made a complementary tax declaration of a total of 13,550,830.56 euros to cover any potential interpretation made concerning the contracts signed in the transfer process for Neymar, although we remain convinced that the original tax payment was in line with our fiscal obligations."

Barca have found themselves embroiled in controversy regarding the finances behind Neymar's move to the Nou Camp.

Last month Sandro Rosell resigned as club president in the wake of Spanish national court judge Pablo Ruz accepting a lawsuit that alleged Rosell misappropriated funds from the transfer of the Brazil international - something the 49-year-old described as "unfair and reckless".

Barca club member Jordi Cases alleged that the amount paid was more than the 57 million euro (£48.6m) fee announced at the time.

PA