Neymar has millionaire fine suspended for alleged environmental infraction in mansion

The Rio de Janeiro Court suspended the R$16 million fine established last year against Neymar for alleged environmental infractions in the construction of an artificial lake at his mansion in Mangaratiba, on the state’s Costa Verde.

In the decision, dated Monday (8) to which AFP had access this Wednesday (10), judge Adriana Ramos de Mello, from the Court of Justice, cites a report from the State Environmental Institute that recognizes that the works on the property did not require environmental licenses.

As “the fines were imposed in million-dollar figures, maintaining their enforceability, in the current evidentiary context, will inflict substantial, disproportionate and even illegal harm” on the player, concludes the judge in her decision.

Neymar had been fined in July 2023 by the Municipal Secretary for the Environment of Mangaratiba, a tourist town located around 130 km from Rio, where the current Saudi Al-Hilal star has his residence.

The fine, set at R$16 million, corresponded to “environmental infractions in the construction of an artificial lake in the player’s mansion”, the secretariat stated at the time.

For the municipal body, among the “dozens of infractions” detected were the “carrying out of work subject to environmental control without authorization”, “capture and diversion of river water without authorization”, and “removal of land and suppression of vegetation without authorization”.

But in her decision, the judge supported Inea’s opinion, which attested that there was no need for a license for such activities.

The number 10 of the Brazilian team bought the mansion in Mangaratiba in 2016. According to the Brazilian press, the property occupies 10 thousand square meters of land and includes a helipad, a spa and a gym.