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Corruption and fraud charges dropped against Neymar

Spanish prosecutors have dropped all fraud and corruption charges against Brazil forward Neymar and other individuals accused over his transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013, the public prosecutor told a court on Friday.

Prosecutors wanted a two-year prison term for Neymar and the payment of a 10 million euros (£8.62 million) fine.

A source close to the legal team representing Neymar told Reuters that their legal representatives Baker Mckenzie would claim costs against the private prosecution for what they consider recklessness, acting in poor faith and for abuse of process. They will also reserve the right to claim for damages.

Last week, Neymar told a court he did not participate in negotiations over his transfer to "childhood dream" club Barcelona from Santos nine years ago, but had signed what his father had told him to.

"I didn't participate in the negotiations. My father always took care of it and always will. I sign everything he tells me to sign," Neymar told the court in Barcelona in his first testimony in the trial that began on Monday.

"Playing for Barcelona was always my dream, a childhood dream."

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