Josep Maria Bartomeu Reacts to Tax Fraud Charge over Neymar Transfer

Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu is set to face a tax fraud investigation over allegations the club misappropriated funds when signing Neymar from Santos. Both he and the club deny any wrongdoing.

Continue for updates.

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Bartomeu Releases Statement Regarding Charges, Denies Wrongdoing

Friday, Feb. 13

Josep Maria Bartomeu released a statement on Barcelona's official website regarding the charges of misappropriating funds: 

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The president of FC Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, gave a statement on Friday morning at the Audiencia Nacional (National Court) in relation to the signing of Neymar. The president was accompanied by his lawyer, the expert in criminal law, José Ángel González Franco.

In the evidence given in front of the judge Pablo Ruz, President Bartomeu gave explanations to all about which he was questioned. In particular, he defended the decisions taken in the matter, always in consultation with the Club’s financial advisers.

He made it clear that it has never been his intention, nor that of the Club’s executives, to aim to defraud the National Tax Office.

Additionally, the Club, through its lawyer Cristóbal Martell, has informed the judge that in the next few days a legal representative will be appointed to represent the Club.

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Kris Voakes of Goal.com reported that Bartomeu told the court that his predecessor, Sandro Rosell, was to blame for any wrongdoing that occurred in signing Neymar:

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 Josep Maria Bartomeu has told a court that former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell oversaw all negotiations which led to an alleged multi-million euro tax evasion.

The current Barca chief insists it was his predecessor who handled everything on behalf of the club in bringing Neymar to Catalunya from Santos.

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Stinging Barca Defence Launched by Bartomeu

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Bartomeu has launched an aggressive defence against the claims against him and Barca. He suggests somebody wants the club, and indeed Neymar, to fail. The FCB president spoke to 8tv (h/t Santi Gimenez of AS):

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It’s the big question. What’s going on? Neymar had two offers, one from Madrid and one from Barça. Neymar was playing well a year ago and out comes the complaint (from a Barça member claiming Rosell misappropriated funds in the deal). Maybe somebody didn’t like it. Now he’s playing well again and there’s another judicial action.

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Bartomeu also suggested the club's decision to stage last year's "Concert for Freedom," a political event featuring the Catalan Senyera flag, "hasn't gone down well."

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Bartomeu Facing Tax Allegations over Neymar Purchase 

Tuesday, Feb. 3

As reported by EFE (via AS), the Spanish Public Prosecutor's Office has asked Judge Pablo Ruz to charge Bartomeu and the club "with tax fraud amounting to 2.8 millions euros supposedly committed in 2014."

It is also suggested Ruz has been asked to order "Sandro Rosell and the club to face trial for irregularities in the acquisition of the player." According to ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, the judge has granted that request, and Bartomeu has been asked to present evidence on Feb. 13.

BBC News' report suggests the aforementioned figures "came amid reports of separate charges relating to the Neymar transfer." In EFE's coverage, it is noted that Bartomeu's charge relates to "personal income tax."

Barcelona responded with an official statement on the club's website:

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FC Barcelona wishes to express to its members its surprise, indignation and total disagreement with the public prosecutor’s petition for the Club and its former president Sandro Rosell to face trial for presumed misdemeanors in the transfer of the player Neymar da Silva Santos Jr.

In recent months, FC Barcelona has declared its innocence, and has provided all of the documentation requested on numerous occasions and which has been supported by various judicial testimonies. The Club has also been advised at all times by specialists in tax law.

With respect to the specific request by the Public Prosecutors Office to charge President Josep Maria Bartomeu for a supposed tax offence in 2014, FC Barcelona also wishes to declare its utter disagreement.

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Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Rosell previously exited his role at the Camp Nou over allegations surrounding Neymar's arrival. He originally suggested the club paid €57 million for the Brazilian's transfer—€45 million of which supposedly went to the player's parents—but investigators suggest the full amount hasn't been declared.

EFE's report indicates €94.8 million is the proper figure outlined by those working on the case, with BBC News reporting prosecutors to have alleged Barcelona failed to pay €12 million in taxes.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Upon leaving Barca in Jan. 2014 when the Neymar claims began to emerge, Rosell stated, "Everything we have said about the Neymar transfer is correct but I do not want unjust attacks to affect the club," reported by Pete Jenson of The Independent. "The signing (of Neymar) has provoked the envy of our rivals."

Despite this, EFE provided details of the prosecutors' report against Rosell:

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In their statement Prosecutors claim that Rosell divided the signing fee into various amounts, each paid under a different concept, but which were all in reality for the player's signing. In total four contracts were signed with Santos and seven with the footballer, with his father acting as his representative, and with companies connected to the family.

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Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Whether Rosell, Bartomeu and the club are proven guilty of misappropriating funds or not, the ongoing investigation is another hit to the Blaugrana's public image. The last year has seen a number of difficult stories linked to the side.

Barca were punished for breaching FIFA's rules when illegally signing minors, receiving a transfer ban until Jan. 2016. There is Lionel Messi's ongoing tax evasion court case, not to mention the recent sacking of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and the departure of his assistant, club legend Carles Puyol. It's worrying to see such a previously committed Barca figure jump ship.

Neymar has proven to be an excellent signing on the pitch and is now a key part of Barca's assault on silverware alongside Messi. He has adapted well to the Camp Nou and continues to work hard to ensure he fits in with the side's possession-based playing style. This season, Neymar has scored 15 and assisted four in 18 La Liga appearances, per WhoScored.com.

David Ramos/Getty Images

His signing could turn out to be one of the most controversial in the sport if Bartomeu, Rosell and the club are found guilty of influencing the figures involved and avoiding tax payments.