"Josep Maria Bartomeu has been under fire lately following complaints by Joan Laporta for embezzlement of funds and constant corruption during his time as Barcelona president. In line with the allegations, Bartomeu was summoned to court earlier this month, with police even finding some wrongdoings with regards to the transfer of Malcom. Now, in yet another blow for Bartomeu, it appears there were discrepancies in the Antoine Griezmann transfer as well."
"The court document states that Barcelona "skipped FIFA regulations," which prohibit clubs from contacting players under contract without their team's consent. To avoid a possible sanction from the RFEF, Bartomeu's team allegedly reached an agreement with Atletico, paying €15 million in exchange for the club not providing evidence in the case. To give a "legal appearance" to the payment, the operation was reportedly disguised as a right of first refusal on several young Atletico players. This is a move the judge believes could constitute unfair administration and/or false accounting."
Josep Maria Bartomeu faces legal scrutiny over alleged embezzlement, corruption and irregular transfer dealings during his Barcelona presidency. Police investigations uncovered wrongdoings in the 2018 Malcom transfer, including €10 million paid to company BFE for questionable intermediation operations. The Court of Instruction Number 32 of Barcelona ordered the Antoine Griezmann signing added to an ongoing probe into alleged illegal commission payments. The court identified possible unfair administration and falsehood surrounding a €15 million payment to Atletico Madrid intended to halt a complaint about negotiations while Griezmann remained under contract. The payment was reportedly disguised as a right of first refusal on several young Atletico players, and the court noted breaches of FIFA contact rules.
Read at Barca Universal
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