Neymar slapped with $3.3mn fine for environmental violations

Neymar

Brazilian football icon Neymar has been fined 16 million reais ($3.3 million) by a prosecutor in Brazil for constructing a lake at his mansion near Rio de Janeiro without an environmental license, according to authorities on Monday.

The Mangaratiba town council issued four fines for “environmental violations in the construction of an artificial lake at the player’s mansion,” stated the council secretariat.

The penalties, totaling over 16 million reais, were set by the prosecutor’s office in Mangaratiba, an area popular with tourists located around 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Rio, where Neymar’s mansion is situated.

The authorities listed numerous infractions, including “carrying out work subject to environmental control without authorisation,” capturing and diverting river water without permission, and “removal of land and suppression of vegetation without authorisation.”

Luxurious mansion: Neymar’s legal troubles

Neymar has 20 days to appeal the penalty, which had initially been set at five million reais.

The violations were discovered on June 22 after authorities received complaints through social media posts.

Subsequently, the property was cordoned off and all activities were ordered to cease. However, Brazilian media reported that Neymar hosted a party at the mansion and even bathed in the lake despite the orders.

Neymar’s press office in Brazil did not respond to requests for comment.

The 31-year-old striker is currently recuperating from ankle surgery he underwent in Doha in March. He has been out of play since February, and there have been doubts about his future with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

He purchased the Mangaratiba mansion in 2016. Spanning 10,000 square meters (107,000 square feet), the property boasts a heliport, spa, and gym, as reported by Brazilian media.