Two criminal allegations have surfaced in a high-profile transfer involving FC Barcelona that has triggered a major judicial investigation.
The club, known for its storied legacy and global following, is facing renewed controversy as judicial investigations open old wounds from the Josep Maria Bartomeu era, reigniting debates over financial governance and transparency within the club’s operations.
According to rulings from the Court of Instruction Number 32 of Barcelona, investigators have uncovered possible criminal conduct in the club’s 2019 signing of French forward Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid, as reported by Diario Sport.
The judge overseeing the case has cited evidence of two potential crimes—unfair administration and falsified accounts—linked to a €15 million payment made by Barcelona to Atlético Madrid.
This payment, according to court findings, was allegedly intended to silence Atlético’s complaint to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), after Barcelona had reportedly negotiated with Griezmann while he was still under contract, violating FIFA regulations.
To conceal the true nature of the transaction, Bartomeu’s administration is accused of disguising the payment as a “right of first refusal” for several young Atlético players—an explanation that the court now deems suspicious.
The findings also assert that Atlético withdrew its evidence against Barcelona after the payment was made, suggesting the existence of a deliberate arrangement between the two clubs.
This scandal comes against the backdrop of broader allegations against Bartomeu’s leadership, including embezzlement and irregular commission payments in other transfers, such as the 2018 signing of Malcom.
Reports claim millions were channeled through questionable intermediaries, raising suspicions of systematic financial mismanagement during his presidency.
For a club striving to rebuild both financially and competitively, these allegations reignite concerns about the damage wrought by years of internal corruption.
As the investigation deepens, Barcelona’s past continues to cast a long shadow over its present ambitions, leaving fans and football authorities waiting to see just how far-reaching the consequences of these findings may prove to be.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
