FC Barcelona club president Josep Bartomeu along with predecessor Alexandre Rosell are facing tax evasion charges after misdeclaring the actual amount paid in order to acquire the Brazilian striker Neymar.

According to BBC, Barcelona declared that it paid €57 million for the transfer of Neymar from Brazilian club Santos. However, investigators insists that the club paid more than that.

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Prosecutors on the other hand claim that the Spanish club paid more than €83 million for the transfer, according to ESPNFC. The report added that the club did not declare the actual amount paid in order to avoid paying more than €13 million in taxes.

Spanish National Court Judge Jose de la Mata has already issued an order to begin drafting the proposed indictment adding that the evidence presented by the prosecution is sufficient enough. Bartomeu and Rosell were given 10 days to file necessary documents to help their defense.

The court's official statement reads, "Judge Jose de la Mata has issued a decree for the opening trial against the president of FC Barcelona, Jose Maria Bartomeu, his predecessor, Sandro Rosell and the club itself for crimes against the Treasury and corporate crime."

Bartomeu, Rosell and the entire Barcelona organization has denied the allegations. The defendants are planning to issue an appeal.

According to The Guardian, prosecutors are insisting jail time for both Bartomeu and Rosell. If found guilty, the prosecutor want two year and three month prison sentence for Bartomeu and seven and a half year prison sentence for Rosell. The prosecutors are also asking for €60 million payment to cover fines and outstanding taxes.

Rosell resigned in January 2014 after allegations of fund misappropriation in order to cover the actual cost paid by the club to acquire Neymar.

Currently, Barcelona is on top of the Spanish league. The club also advanced to the Champions League Finals after defeating Bayern Munich and will be facing Italian club Juventus.

Tagsjosep bartomeu, alexandre rosell, neymar, neymar transfer