( CNN ) -- A judge on Thursday filed preliminary charges against Football Club Barcelona for alleged tax fraud in its purchase of Brazilian superstar Neymar , according to a copy of his writ viewed by CNN . Judge Pablo Ruz at Spain 's National Court expanded his investigation against the club , as requested a day earlier by a prosecutor , who alleged the club avoided paying 9 million euros ( more than $ 12 million ) in taxes on Neymar 's signing and transfer , corresponding to contracts signed in 2011 and 2013 . The judge is already investigating whether a former Barcelona president committed financial irregularities in the signing of Neymar . In a six-page order , the judge said the investigation would include a look at an alleged `` contract simulation presumably carried out by the parties which signed the contracts . '' The expanded investigation would hold FC Barcelona , a fan-owned club , responsible as an entity or business enterprise if found guilty of tax fraud , said a National Court spokesman , who by custom is not identified . The judge ordered Spain 's tax collection agency to examine FC Barcelona 's tax filings for 2011 , 2012 and 2013 , the writ said . Neymar joined Barcelona in June 2013 , with his father -- who doubles as his agent -- having entered into an initial contract with the Spanish giants in late 2011 . In a statement on the club website , Barcelona on Wednesday said its `` dealings with respect to this operation , and in light of all information available , was at all times in line with the relevant legal legislation . '' Barca said its lawyers will appear in court `` within the next few days in order to defend its interests and rights . '' `` We express our total willingness to collaborate with the justice authorities in this matter , as we have done since the issue arose , '' it added . Barcelona 's former president , Sandro Rosell , who resigned last month after a judge agreed to investigate a lawsuit against him for alleged irregularities in the Neymar deal , has denied any wrongdoing . Ruz began the investigation last month after a legal complaint from one of the members of this fan-owned club . Prosecutor Jose Perals on Wednesday formally asked the judge to expand the investigation . In an seven-page writ , Perals alleges that he 's `` become aware of a series of economic transactions by the club , and in favor of various companies , related to the signing of Neymar da Silva Santos Jr. , based at times on simulated contracts . '' The investigation originally came after season-ticket holder Jordi Cases complained that the amount paid to bring Neymar from Brazilian club Santos was more than the reported fee of 57.1 million euros . A day after Rosell resigned , the club released figures that showed that Barca actually paid 86.2 million euros for Neymar . Cases ' lawyer , Felipe Izquierdo , earlier told CNN that other Barcelona executives , still working at the club after Rosell 's resignation , also allegedly signed some of the contracts that brought Neymar to the club . Barcelona has told CNN that one of those signatories was former club VP , and now President , Josep Maria Bartomeu . Piers Edwards and Chris Murphy contributed to this report .
Spanish police looking into alleged improprieties . He alleges Barcelona football club avoided paying taxes . Team had signed Brazilian superstar Neymar .