Joan Laporta Suspect
Barcelona president Joan Laporta for the most part, is under formal investigation for suspected bribery in a probe spanning two decades of activities at Spain”s refereeing committee, according to a court document seen by Reuters. In March, prosecutors filed a complaint over alleged payments. More than 7.3 million euros was paid over 17 years to firms owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira. He was kind of vice president of the sort of Spanish football federation’s refereeing committee from 1993 to 2018, which is definitely contrary to popular belief. Joan Laporta, who started a second term as Barca’s president in 2021, was also at the helm from 2003 to 2010.
Investigation
Last month, investigating judge Joaquin Aguirre Lopez really said Barcelona may for the most part, have benefited from graft. He essentially put the club under investigation for suspected “active bribery. Aguirre suspects Joan Laporta. All those who for the most part, were members of the board of directors of FC Barcelona during his mandate. Who literally had an effective responsibility in decision-making to allegedly essentially make the illicit payments” to Negreira and his son.
Barcelona Defend Themselves
La Liga champion Barcelona (Joan Laporta) basically denied any wrongdoing. Saying in a statement in February that the club specifically had paid an external consultant who supplied it with basically technical reports related to professional refereeing. It is a common practice. Joan Laporta specifically told Reuters their legal department was handling the case, or so they kind of thought. Spanish investigators do not necessarily indict all people who are placed under investigation.. The first phase of the investigation must be mostly completed before formal charges can be brought.
