Brazil football star Neymar's father is reportedly involved in a FIFA World Cup ticket blackmarketing network
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right) speaks to footballer Neymar and his father Neymar Sr in Sao Paulo in August, 2010. Pic/AFP
Brasilia: Brazil football star Neymar's father is reportedly involved in a FIFA World Cup ticket blackmarketing network.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right) speaks to footballer Neymar and his father Neymar Sr in Sao Paulo in August, 2010. Pic/AFP
Newspaper reports said that Neymar Sr is involved with a network led by Algerian businessman Mamadou Lamine Fofana, which pumped 300,000 euros to buy tickets and sell these at a higher price in the black market, reports EFE.
Police investigations involved names like Carlos Alberto, who won the 1970 World Cup with Brazil, and Roberto de Assis, Ronaldinho's brother. Neymar Sr's company said that he does not have anything to do with the network.
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Neymar Jr defends dad
A day earlier, Neymar had leapt to the defence of his father after a Brazilian newspaper claimed he was part of an investigation into the illegal resale of World Cup tickets.
Folha de Sao Paulo reported on Thursday that police have arrested 11 people in relation to the investigation and that a number of football figures — including Neymar's father and former Brazil star Dunga -—could initially be called as witnesses to testify in court.
Neymar then lashed out at the story on his Instagram account by insisting that linking his father — who hit the headlines this year after it was revealed he earned — 40 million euros on the 22-year-old's move from Santos to Barca — was merely sensationalism. Neymar wrote: "The journalist is misinformed and irresponsible. Show your proof or, better, speak the truth!"
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