Brazil soccer star Neymar fined $3.5M for environmental offense

Brazilian soccer star Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior is facing a fine of almost $3.5 million for environmental offenses committed during the construction of his mansion in southeastern Brazil, local authorities said on Monday. 

Neymar’s mansion, which he bought in 2016, sits on a 2.5-acre lot in the town of Mangaratiba on the southern coast of the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro.  

Brazilian authorities said that the luxury project violated environmental rules about the use and movement of freshwater sources, rock, and sand without a permit. 

In particular, Mangaratiba’s environmental body said that the violations were made “in the construction of an artificial lake at the mansion.” The unauthorized activities include the diversion of a waterway, extraction of water from a river, extensive excavation, and using beach sand. 

As a result, the Brazil and Paris Saint Germain soccer player was fined 16 million reais—about $3.3 million. In addition to the fines, the case will also be investigated by the local attorney general’s office, the state civil police, and the environmental protection office, among other entities. Additional fines are expected. 

“The next step will be to make an assessment of the irregularities found and issue a fine which, according to estimates and in view of the environmental damage caused, will not be less than five million reais [about $1 million],” said the local mayor’s office in a statement.

Neymar's spokesperson declined to comment on the subject. 

Construction on the mansion was halted last week after officials visited the property and Neymar’s father, Neymar da Silva Santos, allegedly insulted them. While the soccer star’s dad was threatened with being arrested for his actions, he was not detained.