Barcelona President Bartomeu accused of corruption by Catalan police

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Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, has been accused of corruption by the Catalan police force.

He is accused of allegedly making personal financial gains from the club, report El Mundo.

The allegations relate to the case which has become known as ‘Barçagate’ and claims that Bartomeu has personally benefitted financially from deals done on behalf of the club.

The ‘Barçagate’ story emerged in relation to reported documents that were said to show the inner workings and financial transactions of the club, which caused a stir in the Spanish media.

Earlier this year, Cadena Ser’s El Larguero show revealed documents from Barcelona which appeared to show the club paying a third party to damage the reputation of individuals, including their own players Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique – who were seen to be opponents to the president.

Blaugrana club legends Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and Pep Guardiola were among those who had supposedly been targeted, along with presidential hopefuls Agusti Benedito and Victor Font.

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The Catalan club always strenuously denied any truth in the reports, saying that they had neither paid nor promoted anyone to denounce or attack others – who have been opponents to the current board in some form at some point.