Barcelona Prosecutor’s Office accuses former president of causing €13 million worth of damage | OneFootball

It was reported yesterday that former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has been accused by current president Joan Laporta of a myriad of wrongdoings, including embezzlement.

The 16th court of Barcelona has subsequently summoned Bartomeu to court on October 24, with Laporta estimating €30 million worth of damages caused to the club.

Barcelona Prosecutor’s Office accuses Bartomeu

Now, according to El Mundo (h/t Diario SPORT), the Barcelona Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has filed a document accusing Bartomeu and his closest associates of unfair administration for the payment of a series of commissions it considers illegal.

The Prosecutor’s Office believes Bartomeu’s actions may have caused economic harm to the club amounting to approximately €13 million, citing cases such as Malcom and Antoine Griezmann.

More troubles brewing for Josep Maria Bartomeu. (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)

The complaint highlights the 2018 signing of Malcom from Girondins de Bordeaux, where nearly €10 million in commissions were allegedly paid.

Prosecutors argue Bartomeu agreed to pay intermediaries with whom the club had no contract, thereby inflicting financial losses on Barça.

In its submission, the Public Prosecutor’s Office states Bartomeu “failed to fulfil his duties of diligence and loyalty in managing assets that were not his own”.

They add that the former president usurped a power that belonged to the Board of Directors, from whom he concealed the truth of several transactions.”

The filing also raises concerns over a €1.7 million fee paid to lawyer Jose Angel Gonzalez Franco for a settlement in the Neymar case, which was allegedly not presented to the Board for approval.

Another €1.5 million payment connected to the Espai Barça project has also been deemed illegal.