Spanish court acquits soccer star Neymar in fraud trial

By JOSEPH WILSON
Associated Press

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — A Spanish court has acquitted soccer star Neymar and his fellow defendants in a fraud and corruption trial related to the Brazilian’s 2013 transfer from Santos to Barcelona. Brazilian company DIS had accused Neymar, his father, and the former presidents of Santos and Barcelona of having intentionally hidden the cost of his transfer to avoid paying DIS what it was due as the partial holder of his player rights. However, the court says in a statement that “it has not been proven that there was a false contract or that DIS was intended to be harmed.” DIS says it will appeal.