President Bartomeu announced his resignation on October 27, 2020. -
Enric Fontcuberta / EFE / SIPA
The former boss of FC Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and his former right-hand man, Jaume Masferrer, arrested Monday as part of the investigation into the "Barçagate", will be heard Tuesday by an examining magistrate.
The two former leaders of the Catalan club, who spent the night in a Barcelona police station, will "go to the courts," said a police source to AFP, without being able to give the time. their hearing by the investigating judge in charge of the case.
Two current leaders of the club, the general manager, Oscar Grau, and the legal director, Roman Gomez Ponti, were also arrested Monday by the police before being released in the evening.
The Catalan regional police of the “Mossos d'Esquadra” raided the headquarters of the Catalan club on Monday as part of the investigation into the “Barçagate”.
The contract with I3 Ventures in the sights of the police
This case erupted a year ago after an investigation by Spanish radio Cadena Ser into an alleged campaign of slander against Barça figures (such as star Lionel Messi or defender Gerard Pique) on social networks, orchestrated by a company working for the club.
The radio had shown that the club had paid one million euros in six separate invoices to this company, I3 Ventures, with whom Barca have since cut ties.
That is an amount six times higher than market prices, according to the press.
The club had then categorically denied any defamation campaign and assured that this company had the mission of monitoring social networks on behalf of the club.
Criticized by a large fringe of supporters, players and club members, Josep Maria Bartomeu ended up resigning at the end of October after a long crisis, with his entire management committee.
Sport
Barça: Former president Bartomeu arrested, the club raided
Sport
Liga: Messi and Dembouz relaunch Barca in title race just before new president's election
Sport
FC Barcelona
Soccer