Barca president to stand trial on charges over Neymar

A Spanish judge has ordered Barcelona’s president, Josep Bartomeu, his predecessor, Sandro Rosell, and the club to stand trial on charges they committed tax fraud in the signing of Neymar.
Judge Jose de la Mata has given the defendants, who deny any wrongdoing, 10 days in which to present their defence in writing, according to court documents published on Wednesday.
Bartomeu was a vice president under Rosell when Neymar was signed from Santos in 2013 in a complex deal involving multiple contracts with the Brazil striker and his father.
In total, Bartomeu, Rosell, who resigned over the allegations, and the club have been accused of defrauding the tax office of nearly €13m (£9.4m).
Prosecutors have asked for a prison sentence of two years and three months for Bartomeu and seven and a half years for Rosell, plus fines and payments of outstanding taxes totalling more than €60m.
The tax investigation was launched after a club member questioned the figures given for the Neymar deal.
Barça initially said they paid €57.1m but later admitted the cost was nearer €100m.