It was a dramatic scene as Police raided the offices of FC Barcelona on Monday, carrying out several arrests just six days ahead of the club’s presidential elections. This was made known to the media when a Catalan regional police spokesman spoke to AFP.
Spain’s Cadena Ser radio said one of those arrested was former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October, along with CEO Oscar Grau and the club’s head of legal services.
But the police refused to confirm names, saying only “arrests are taking place” and adding that the operation was being run by officers from the financial crimes unit.
“We are in the process of carrying out an operation right now with agents of the financial crimes unit,” the police spokesman told AFP.
According to reports in the Spanish media, the operation is linked to last year’s investigation into the ‘BarcaGate’ scandal, which saw the club deny hiring a company to criticise current and former players on social media to improve the image of the then-president Bartomeu.
Cadena Ser said Barca paid one million euros in six separate invoices to the company I3 Ventures, with whom the club has since cut ties.
Bartomeu resigned in October, after mounting pressure following months of controversy and a dramatic decline in performances on the pitch.
His successor is due to be elected on Sunday, when club members will choose between the final three candidates, Joan Laporta, Toni Freixa, and Victor Font.
Meanwhile, last weekend, Ousmane Dembélé’s fine first-half strike coupled with Lionel Messi’s late second settled a fiery encounter at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.
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Sergiño Dest and Jordi Alba offered width when required, opening up a pitch that remained very congested in the midfield areas.
Chances were at a premium for both sides, a super counterattack from Barça which saw Ousmane Dembélé working Sevilla keeper Bono the closest they came to scoring in the opening 25 minutes.
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