Jose Maria Bartomeu will appear in court over financial fraud! | OneFootball

Although he left the club, they still pursue him.

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A new chapter is unfolding in the ongoing legal drama surrounding FC Barcelona's recent past. A Spanish court has officially launched judicial proceedings, casting a legal net that ensnares not only the club's former president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, but also extends to several of his closest associates, all of whom now face formal charges.

The roots of this case dig back two years, planted by none other than Bartomeu's successor, the current president Joan Laporta. Upon taking office, Laporta sounded the alarm, lodging a formal complaint that accused the previous administration of serious financial misconduct.

The core of the allegation suggests that during Bartomeu's tenure, which stretched from 2014 to 2020, multi-million euro commissions from high-profile player transfers were secretly funneled into private pockets. A prime example cited was the high-stakes signing of French star Antoine Griezmann, with Laporta claiming a staggering sum of approximately €30 million was misappropriated.

The complaint painted a broader picture of questionable financial dealings, pointing to another significant payment. It highlighted a fee of €1.7 million paid to a lawyer, González Franco, for his role in negotiating the club's settlement in the infamous "Neymar case."

While the legal wheels are now in motion, the path forward remains unclear. The specific dates for court hearings, where these detailed allegations will be thoroughly examined, have yet to be scheduled, leaving the football world awaiting the next development in this high-stakes legal battle.