Spanish Authorities Seek Jail Time for Soccer Stars Eto’o & Neymar Over Fraud Allegations – Forbes

FC Barcelona and Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi (R) receives his award from Cameroon and Antalyaspor forward Samuel Eto’o after being selected in the 2015 FIFA FIFPro World XI during the 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 11, 2016. (Photo credit: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

The whispers are growing louder. What started as one or two investigations into allegations of tax improprieties now feels to some Barcelona fans like a witch hunt. The latest victims? Samuel Eto’o and Neymar.

Samuel Eto’o Fils, called Samuel Eto’o, who turned 35 this year, currently plays as a striker for Antalyaspor, a soccer club in Turkey. Eto’o’s Spanish connection came early in his career when he joined Real Madrid’s youth academy as a teen. He eventually signed on with FC Barcelona in the summer of 2004. Eto’o stayed with FC Barcelona for more than five seasons, scoring over 100 goals.

Spanish prosecutors allege that for part of that time, 2006-2009, Eto’o failed to pay over $4 million in taxes. They are seeking a fine of $15.1 million as well as a prison sentence of 10 years and six months. Nope, not a typo. More than ten years.

Spanish prosecutors are also seeking prison time for Eto’o’s agent at the time of the alleged fraud, Jose Maria Mesalles Mata, as well as for the administrator of a company said to be involved.

Eto’o has previously denied any wrongdoing.

FC Barcelona’s Neymar, right, juggles with the ball against Malaga’s Roberto Rosales during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Malaga at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez).

Barcelona also continued its pursuit of soccer superstar Neymar: that, of course, isn’t news. But what is news is that Spanish prosecutors are now seeking prison for the Barcelona superstar. Reportedly, prosecutors are asking that the striker be sentenced to two years in prison and pay a €10 million fine for alleged corruption involved in Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona from his former club, Santos.