Neymar fined $3.3m for building illegal artificial lake at mansion near Rio

The Brazilian is linked with a move to Barcelona

Neymar has been fined by Brazilian authorities more than 16 million reais (€3.06 million, $3.33 million) for violating local environmental regulations while getting renovations performed on his beachfront property in Mangaratiba, a city west of Rio de Janeiro.

After Neymar was charged with illegally constructing a fake lake at his residence, Mangaratiba City Hall levied four fines, according to an announcement released on Monday night.

The 31-year-old's representative declined to provide further details to ESPN and The Associated Press.

Neymar has the right to appeal the choice, which will be given to the police for potential legal action, and they later released a statement.

"The Department of the Environment, in addition to applying the fines considering the environmental damage caused, as well as the disrespect for the environmental laws in force, have notified the facts found to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Civil Police, the Environmental Protection Police Station and other environmental control bodies," 

Environmental inspectors investigated Neymar's home in the municipality of Mangaratiba on June 22 in response to complaints, and they discovered extensive building work done without a permit for the environment.

Numerous environmental violations were committed "in the construction of an artificial lake at the mansion," according to a statement from Mangaratiba City Hall.

Unauthorised earthmoving, the taking and redirection of river water, and the eradication of vegetation were among the violations.

On various social media platforms, Genesis Ecossistemas, the business that constructed the man-made lake, congratulated Neymar on his 10-day assignment.

The lake's 1,000 square metres (10,764 square feet) surface area was stated. In a message posted to Instagram, the business promised to apply for the required permits and cooperate with the authorities to follow the rules.

According to the 46-page city hall document, Neymar was assessed the highest fine possible for each of the offences for which he is charged.

It also claimed that the player's parent, Neymar da Silva Santos, aggressively attacked local officials last week when they visited the property to halt the building project. The document had been authorised by the city's chief attorney.

According to Mangaratiba City Hall, Neymar spent roughly 120,000 Brazilian reals ($25,000) on unauthorised building projects.