Judge releases former Barcelona FC president Bartomeu, Masferrer 1 minute read
Barcelona, Mar 2 (efe-epa).- The judge investigating the so called “BarçaGate” case on Tuesday ordered the provisional release of former FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his right hand, Jaume Masferrer, who used their right not to testify.
According to the High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC), judge Alejandra Gil has ordered the release of Bartomeu and Masferrer with charges as both are under investigation for malpractices under their administration and corruption in business.
The magistrate has also agreed to lift the secrecy concerning the case, which she had extended up to six times and in which FC Barcelona is not listed as an accused party, but as an affected party, legal sources confirmed to EFE.
According to
Cadena SER radio, they were arrested on suspicion of “unfair administration, corruption between individuals and money laundering.
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The BarcaGate; scandal, which has been investigated for almost a year, has long been denied by Bartomeu.
Barcelona s president Josep Maria Bartomeu (L) and CEO of Japanese company Rakuten Hiroshi Mikitani display the FC Barcelona s new jersey after signing an agreement between FC Barcelona and Rakuten Inc. at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on November 16, 2016. [AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE]
It was claimed that he and his regime had hired I3 Ventures to protect his reputation, while smearing the names of the likes of
Police raided the offices of FC Barcelona on Monday, carrying out several arrests just six days ahead of the clubs presidential elections, a Catalan regional police spokesman told AFP. Spains Cadena Ser radio said one of those arrested was former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu,
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has made clear that the arrest of former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu is not a good thing for the Blaugrana.
Bartomeu and three others - CEO Os
Josep Maria Bartomeu: Police arrest ex-Barcelona president
The arrests of several former officials of the Spanish football club are related to last year s Barcagate scandal and come less than a week before presidential elections.
Police are said to have detained Barcelona s ex-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, current chief executive Oscar Grau, head of legal services Roma Gomez Ponti and Bartomeu s advisor Jaume Masferrer
Police detained the former president of Spanish soccer giants FC Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and other senior club officials on Monday.
The arrests were part of a police investigation into the Barcagate controversy.
They followed a raid at Barcelona s offices and come just six days ahead of presidential elections.