Barcelona Threaten Legal Action Amid Ex-VP's Claims of Financial Mismanagement

FC Barcelona have threatened legal action against former vice president Emili Rousaud because of allegations he made against the club after resigning this week. 

According to Joe Wright of Goal.com, Rousaud said the following to RAC1 on Friday: "I think someone has had their hand in the treasury, although I don't know who. You pay €1 million [to i3 Ventures] for a job that has a market price of €100,000. I don't know who it was, but I can have an idea, although I don't think it was someone on the board."

In response, Barcelona released a statement which read, in part:

"In the light of the serious and unfounded accusations made this morning by Mr. Emili Rousaud, ex institutional vice president at the Club, in different interviews with the media, FC Barcelona categorically denies any activity that can be described as corruption, therefore, reserves the right to any legal action that may correspond."

Rousaud was one of six Barca board members to step down this week, along with Enrique Tombas, Silvio Elias, Josep Pont, Jordi Calsamiglia and Maria Texidor.

Per Wright, it was reported that the resignations occurred after club president Josep Maria Bartomeu asked that four members step down in an effort to "strengthen support" during what is his final year in office.

Barcelona commented on the reshuffling as part of their statement:

"Finally, the resignations of the members of the Board of Directors announced over the last few hours have come about due to a reorganization of the Board put forward by president Josep Maria Bartomeu and which will be completed in the next few days. 

"This reorganization of the Board of Directors is an attempt to face the challenge of the final phase of the mandate in the best way possible with the objective being the implementation of the necessary measures to prepare for the Club's future, overcoming the consequences of the public health crisis which is currently upon us and to bring to a conclusion the management program began in 2010 and the Strategic Plan approved in 2015."

Rousaud also alleged that Barcelona and PR firm i3 Ventures entered into an agreement meant to improve Bartomeu's image and fight against criticism from current and former Barca players on social media.

Both Barcelona and i3 Ventures have denied any such arrangement.