Neymar has £31m assets frozen in tax probe

Barcelona striker Neymar has had assets of more than £31m frozen for alleged tax evasion.

The 23-year-old Brazilian international is accused of not paying £10m in taxes between 2011 and 2013.

He only declared assets of £3.3m for those years, according to a statement by Sao Paulo federal court in Brazil.

Judge Carlos Muta said he was seizing three times the amount Neymar allegedly owes to cover potential interest and fines.

The action covers property and vehicles, but Neymar will still have access to bank accounts and other liquid assets.

Neymar is accused of "omitting sources of income from abroad," with Barcelona named as the source of unreported earnings, said Judge Muta.

In May, a Spanish court alleged Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell evaded millions in taxes after signing Neymar from Brazilian club Santos in 2013.

Rosell said Neymar cost £42m, but the deal was shrouded in secrecy.

Bartomeu eventually admitted the total cost was £63m once additional payments to the player and his family had been included.

Iagaro Jung Martins, an auditor for Brazil's federal tax agency, said Neymar is unlikely to go to jail if he pays what he owes.

"He will be able to discuss the frozen assets in a civil court," he said.

"But legislation in Brazil isn't too harsh. If Neymar pays what he owes, he is very likely to be free from any other punishment."

Neymar's father and business manager Neymar da Silva Santos called the charges "unjust".

"Neymar Jr is not a partner in any of those companies, and therefore he cannot declare something he does not own," he said.