Neymar arrives in court for trial over Barcelona transfer

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — A few hours after scoring the winning goal in Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Marseille in the French league, Neymar arrived in court in Spain on Monday to face a trial for alleged irregularities involving his transfer to Barcelona in 2013.

Neymar’s parents, former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and representatives for both the Spanish club and Brazilian team Santos also appeared in court after a complaint brought by Brazilian investment group DIS regarding the amount of the player’s transfer.

The Brazil forward arrived at the court in Barcelona wearing sunglasses and a black suit and tie. Neymar's mother and father, who also is his agent, were among those arriving alongside the player.

The defendants, who have denied wrongdoing, sat near each other to hear the opening arguments in the trial that comes nearly a month before the World Cup opens on Nov. 20 in Qatar, and is expected to last until the end of the month.

Neymar left the Barcelona court about two hours after arriving, without talking to reporters.

Neymar and the rest of the defendants had to be in court for the first day of the trial, but the player is only expected to testify on Friday.

On Sunday night, Neymar scored his ninth French league goal of the season in first-half stoppage time to lead PSG to a 1-0 win over Marseille in French soccer’s biggest game.

Prosecutors have charged the 30-year-old Neymar and his father with corruption and asked for a prison sentence of up to two years, although any jail time would likely be suspended. DIS accused them of corruption and fraud and asked for a five-year prison sentence for Neymar and his father, and for compensation of 34 million euros ($32.1 million) and a fine of 195 million