Barcelona court has unleashed embezzlement charges against the club’s former president and board, unraveling a murky transfer scandal.
The investigation, centered on the club’s dealings during a turbulent era, has unearthed troubling details about payments that could point to mismanagement or worse.
With Barcelona’s current regime, led by Joan Laporta, pushing for transparency, the case has cast a shadow over the club’s storied legacy, raising questions about the integrity of past decisions.
The probe, now escalating, involves key figures from the club’s former administration and could have far-reaching consequences for their reputations.
According to El Periódico, the Mossos d’Esquadra have submitted a report to Barcelona’s Juzgado de Instrucción 16, accusing former president Josep Maria Bartomeu and other ex-directors of paying €10 million to Bussines Futbol España (BFE) for “inexistent” or overpriced intermediary services tied to Malcom’s 2018 transfer from Girondins.
The report suggests these payments, made between 2018 and 2020, were unjustified or inflated, potentially constituting administration desleal (disloyal administration).
The fiscalía estimates a €4 million loss to the club, though Laporta’s forensic audit claims up to €30 million.
Other irregularities include €1.7 million paid to lawyer José Ángel González Franco for Neymar’s transfer and €1.5 million to Club Esportiu Laietà for Espai Barça-related compensation.
The investigation highlights a manipulated contract for Malcom, altered post-signing to reduce tax liabilities, with €8.4 million paid to BFE and €1.5 million directly, dodging higher IRPF retention.
A 2020 agreement, predating 2019, allegedly included €740,000 in false invoices for youth player transfers, like Morey and Mújica, who left as free agents, or Ndockyt, whose rights Barcelona never held.
These discrepancies, per the Mossos, were designed to funnel the full €10 million to intermediaries.
Bartomeu, alongside ex-executives like Óscar Grau and Jordi Moix, faces charges for decisions allegedly hidden from the board.
As the court proceedings intensify, Barcelona’s efforts to clean house under Laporta underscore a commitment to rectifying past financial missteps, with the Malcom saga a stark reminder of the club’s turbulent recent history.
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