The Brazilian football star Neymar’s “major construction” project at his estate in the Rio de Janeiro state was suspended on Thursday for “environmental infractions,” which might result in a punishment of almost one million dollars, according to the authorities.
According to a statement released by the mayor’s office, the project was being carried out “without environmental authorization” on the luxurious home that belonged to the footballer who plays for both Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team. Mangaratiba is located around 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Rio de Janeiro.
The authorities, who were made aware of the problem by complaints posted on social media platforms, found “various environmental infractions,” which included the illegal redirection of a canal and the removal of water from a river without authorization.
In addition to this, they found evidence of unlawful digging as well as the transfer of dirt, stones, and boulders, as well as the usage of beach sand without a permit.
“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),” the mayor’s office stated in their statement. “The next step will be to make an assessment of the irregularities found.”
AFP’s request for comment about Neymar was not met with a response from his agents in Brazil.
In a video that was released by the authorities and reported by the local media, the father of the football player, Neymar da Silva Santos, can be seen and heard fighting with the officials who were doing the inspection.
In 2016, Neymar was the buyer of the home. It has a helipad, spa, and gym, as reported by the local media, and it lies on a plot of ground that is 10,000 square meters (2.5 acres) in size.
The striker, who is now 31 years old and has undergone surgery on his right ankle in Doha, Qatar, in March, is now making a full recovery from the procedure.
Since February, he has not participated in any games, and there is some uncertainty over his future with PSG as a result.