Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has been fined more than 16 million reais (€3.06 million, $3.33 million) by Brazilian authorities for breaching local environmental regulations while having work done on his coastal mansion in the city of Mangaratiba outside Rio de Janeiro.
Mangaratiba City Hall said in a statement Monday night it had issued four fines after Neymar was accused of illegally building an artificial lake at his mansion. — Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Spokespeople for Neymar, 31, declined to comment to both ESPN and The Associated Press.
Neymar can appeal the decision, which will be handed to police for possible prosecution. On June 22, environmental officers inspected Neymar's property following complaints made, which showed major construction work carried out without environmental authorisation.
Mangaratiba City Hall said in a statement that dozens of environmental infractions were made «in the construction of an artificial lake at the mansion.» Among the infractions was the capture and diversion of river water without authorisation, earth movement and suppression of vegetation without authorisation. «The Department of the Environment, in addition to applying the fines considering the environmental damage caused, as well as the disrespect for the environmental laws in force, have notified the facts found to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Civil Police, the Environmental Protection Police Station and other environmental control bodies,» a statement said.