A Brazilian court has decided to suspend a $3 million fine imposed on soccer star Neymar last year for constructing a lake at his mansion near Rio de Janeiro without obtaining an environmental license. Judge Adriana Ramos de Mello issued the ruling on Monday, as revealed in documents obtained by AFP on Wednesday. The decision was based on a report from the state environmental authority INEA, which stated that the project did not require special environmental permits.

Judge Ramos de Mello stated that imposing fines in the millions of dollars would cause substantial, disproportionate, and potentially illegal harm to the player from Al Hilal SFC. The fines were originally issued by the town council in Mangaratiba, totaling 16 million reais ($3.3 million), for alleged environmental violations related to the construction of an artificial lake at Neymar's mansion, located approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) outside Rio de Janeiro.

The infractions listed by authorities included carrying out construction work without proper authorization, diverting river water without permission, and removing land and vegetation without authorization. However, the judge sided with the findings of the INEA, which confirmed that no environmental license was required for such activities. Therefore, the judge concluded that the alleged infractions were not present.

Neymar purchased the mansion in Mangaratiba in 2016, and according to Brazilian media reports, it boasts amenities such as a heliport, spa, and gym.

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