Footie ace Neymar has been fined a hefty £2.6million for constructing an artificial lake next to his coastal mansion in Brazil.
The public prosecutor of Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro state, has fined the 31-year-old an eye-watering R$16,010,000 (£2.62million), local media report. This was after a report by the Municipal Environmental Department revealed that the PSG and Brazil man had committed several infractions.
The report ruled that Neymar had installed “activities without the necessary instrument for environmental monitoring”. He had also moved earth without proper authorisation and removed vegetation without authorisation.
Furthermore, he had deliberately violated an embargo by entering the lake after it was closed off by the authorities.
The inspection ahead of the 46-page report was carried out by the authorities in conjunction with experts on 22 June following an anonymous complaint. According to the authorities in Mangaratiba, the playmaker has 20 days to appeal the fine.
If he fails to lodge an appeal within the allotted timeframe, he legally owes the municipality the stipulated amount. According to local media, Neymar had constructed the artificial lake using sand, stones, and freshwater taken from elsewhere.
The fine is likely to be pocket change for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup winner, who is worth an estimated $200million (£157million). It is not the first time the former Barcelona and Santos man finds himself at the centre of controversy.
The talisman was filmed slapping a Rennes fan in 2019. While in June, he took to social media to offer a public apology to pregnant girlfriend Bruna Biancardi. (DailyStar)