Neymar has £35 million of assets frozen including yacht and private jet

The court which rejected an appeal lodged by the striker last week.

Last year Neymar and his family business were found guilty of evading almost £12 million ($16 million) between 2011 and 2013 when he was playing for Santos.

The 23-year-old, who has denied any wrongdoing, used the jet to travel to Brazil for holidays and World Cup qualifying matches.

Brazil federal tax auditor Iagaro Jung Martins said the star is not likely to go to jail if he pays what regulators say he owes.

He said: "He can still appeal that decision, but it is a step forward.

"Nothing changed to what was in place last year: if he pays what he owes, the case is closed. Our legislation isn't too harsh."

It comes just weeks after the Brazilian striker and his father were grilled for three hours in a Madrid court.

The pair were questioned about the player’s transfer to the Catalan club.

The case was brought by Grupo Sonda, which invested in Neymar early in his career and was allegedly entitled to 40 per cent of the total transfer amount.

Barcelona insists the deal cost the club €57.1 million (then $74 million).

Santons officially received a payment of €17.1 million, with the remaining €40 million going to a company owned by Neymar's father.

But investigations in Spain later showed that Barcelona spent almost €83.3 million to acquire Neymar.

Former and current Barcelona presidents and representatives of Santos were also questioned.

Santos also claims to have been hurt by the transfers.

But all parties denied any wrongdoing.

(dailystar.co.uk)