Barcelona have announced that they will appeal a ruling by a Spanish judge that Neymar should face trial on corruption charges.
Spanish High Court judge Jose de la Mata said on Monday that the Brazilian should stand trial over his transfer to the club from Santos in 2013 after Brazilian investment group DIS complained that it had received less than it was owed from the deal due to the full size of the transfer fee being concealed.
The judge additionally ruled that Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro Rosell should also stand trial, but Barcelona have announced their intention to challenge the decision.
"The board of directors have decided to appeal against the interlocutory judgement made by judge Jose de la Mata in Madrid," read a statement on the club's official website.
"The board expressed its surprise and total disagreement with this development and its reasoning, especially taking into account the same magistrate's decision to dismiss the case last July, and the public prosecutors weren't proposing taking action against the president Bartomeu.
"If the judicial action starts, FC Barcelona will maintain the argument that it has defended throughout this process to maintain the innocence of those who are being investigated."
The case was initially dismissed in July before Spain's Supreme Court ordered it to be reopened in September. Neymar, Bartomeu and Rosell all deny any wrongdoing.
