Neymar has over three million dollar pollution fine quashed | OneFootball

Neymar has had a pollution fine of more than three million dollars quashed by a Rio de Janeiro state court, in a ruling issued on Tuesday.

According to Le Progres, the penalty was imposed in July 2023 by Mangaratiba’s municipal authorities, a resort city 130 km from Rio, where the former Paris SG forward owns a villa. The case centred on an artificial lake built at the property.

Officials had accused the 32-year-old of causing marine pollution by discharging construction waste into the sea, alongside dozens of alleged breaches. These included carrying out works requiring environmental oversight without permits, unauthorised river water capture and diversion, and removal of soil and vegetation without approval.

The court ordered the penalty null due to flaws in the investigation, noting the accusations rested solely on photos and videos submitted in October 2019 via an anonymous complaint. The fine had already been provisionally suspended in 2024.

Neymar’s legal team submitted expert analysis asserting water quality in the area remained within acceptable limits at the time residues were allegedly discharged. The file also states the probe was sparked by the intense media attention surrounding the involvement of a globally known athlete.

Source: Le Progres