Barcelona's Neymar Appears in Court in Corruption Case

Brazilian football superstar Neymar da Silva Santos Junior is in court Tuesday over allegations of corruption and fraud surrounding his transfer to Barcelona from Santos.

His dad, who acts as his agent, is also scheduled to testify at the High Court of Madrid later Tuesday.

Both arrived with their lawyers at 5 p.m. local time.

The Brazilian superstar who is having one of his best seasons with high-flying Barcelona had time to sign a few autographs for fans waiting for him outside the court, local press reported.

A judge ordered their presence in the court as both are under investigation for charges of fraud and corruption. Barcelona said it paid US$57 million for Neymar in 2013, his parents received US$40 million and Brazilian club Santos US$17 million.

Brazilian investment fund DIS, which owned 40 percent of the Brazilian player's sports rights, filed a complaint claiming it was financially harmed when Barcelona and Neymar allegedly withheld the real amount of the player's transfer fee from Brazilian club Santos in 2013.

Both Santos and Barcelona have denied the accusation, Neymar and his dad have said they will answer all the questions from the judge and the lawyers for the other defendants, but not those of the Brazilian company.