FC Barcelona president in court
February 13, 2015
FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu appeared in a Madrid court on Friday to face questions about alleged tax evasion in the signing of star forward Neymar from Brazilian team Santos in June 2013.
The 52-year-old arrived at the hearing accompanied by a legal representative, while dozens of press reporters and photographers lined the street to catch a glimpse.
The citation arises from a request by state prosecutor Jose Perals for national court judge Pablo Ruz to investigate claims that the club defrauded Spain's tax office of 2.8 million euros (3.2 million dollars) in unpaid taxes following the deal.
Bartomeu was a vice president at that time under then president Sandro Rosell, who is also indicted. Like his successor, Rosell denies any wrongdoing but stepped down as Barca president in January 2014 because of the case.
"President Bartomeu gave explanations to all about which he was questioned," read a statement on the club's #link:http://www.fcbarcelona.com/club/detail/article/fc-barcelona-press-release-about-president-bartoemeu-s-statement-at-the-national-court:official website# about Friday's hearing.
"In particular, he defended the decisions taken in the matter, always in consultation with the Club’s financial advisers."
Bartomeu stands firm
Neymar has scored 38 goals in 69 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona since joing the Spanish giants in a transfer listed at 57.1 million euros by the club.
Despite coming under heavy pressure over the handling of the deal, Bartomeu has refused to resign and has said he will be a candidate in the club's presidential elections, due at the end of the season.
"Certain powers in the state are looking at Barca with a magnifying glass, because of our support for the Catalan referendum on independence,” said the Barca president to Catalan television when his indictment was made public on February 3.
The controversial secession vote took place in November, despite the opposition of the Spanish government.
Bartomeu has been an FC Barcelona member since 1974 and has sat on the Board of Directors since 2010.
Pwh/apc (AP, dpa)