Neymar will have to pay. The PSG player has been fined an amount yet to be determined for ignoring an order to halt an unauthorized construction project at a residence belonging to him in Brazil, official sources said on Saturday.
The Brazilian footballer was already threatened with another fine of one million dollars (5 million reales) for various “environmental infractions” observed in this luxurious residence located in the tourist town of Mangaratiba, 120 km from Rio, where a artificial lake and a beach were being built. Authorities positioned themselves around the property and ordered a halt to all activities, but according to local media Neymar threw a party there anyway and bathed in the lake.
Diversion of a watercourse
The municipality of Mangaratiba said environmental inspectors showed up there on Saturday and found “activity in violation of the removal order”.
Earlier, authorities, alerted by complaints posted on social media, uncovered “various environmental infractions”, including the diversion of a watercourse and the unauthorized extraction of water from a river. They had also noted unauthorized excavations and movement of earth, stones and rocks, as well as the use of beach sand without a permit.
Neymar, 31, continues to recover from ankle surgery he had in March and hasn’t played since February. According to Brazilian media, the property, bought by Neymar in 2016, includes a 10,000 square meter plot, a helipad, a spa and a gymnasium.