Brazil court freezes Neymar assets, including yacht and jet

Manu Fernandez / AP

FC Barcelona's Neymar reacts after scoring against Celta Vigo during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016.

Associated Press

Monday, Feb. 15, 2016 | 5:24 p.m.

SAO PAULO — Brazilian authorities have moved to block assets of Barcelona star Neymar, including a yacht, a jet and several properties in his home nation.

The Sao Paulo federal court has started issuing warrants to freeze the assets worth 192 million reals (almost $ 50 million).

Last year, Neymar, his family and related businesses were found guilty of evading 63 million reals in Brazil taxes (almost $16 million) between 2011 and 2013. At that time Neymar was playing for Brazilian club Santos. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Brazilian newspapers report that the player's appeal against the decision was rejected last week.

Iagaro Jung Martins, an auditor with Brazil's federal tax agency, told The Associated Press that Neymar isn't likely to go to jail if he pays what he owes.