Barcagate scandal: FC Barcelona issues statement hours after shocking arrests at Camp Nou

FC Barcelona has issued an official statement hours after shocking arrests at ir home stium Camp u. It so happened that Catalan police raided Camp u stium in a search and seize operation in relation to Barcagate scandal on Monday morning. most table arrest was that of club's former president Josep Maria Bartomeu. Or arrests included former Barcelona CEO Oscar Grau and legal services he, Roman Gomez Ponti.

What does Barcelona clarify in its official statement?

"Regarding entry and search by Catalan Police force this morning at Camp u offices by order of Instructing Court number 13 in Barcelona, which is in charge of case relating to contacting of monitoring services on social networks, FC Barcelona have offered up ir full collaboration to legal and police authorities to help make clear facts which are subject to investigation", Barca's official statement re.

Meanwhile, five-time UEFA Champions League winners also clarified that information and documentation requested by judicial police force relate strictly to facts relative to this case. 

Spanish club has also expressed its utmost respect for judicial process in place and for principle of presumed incence for people affected within remit of this investigation. 

Re entire statement here:

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What is Barcagate social media scandal?

Things seem to have gone from b to worse for Barcelona as three of ir high-profile club manment people were arrested in relation to Barcagate social media scandal that took place in February 2020. club's former president Joseph Bartomeu was accused of paying money to a third-party company asking m to smear im of current and former players alongside or presidential candidates on social media. However, about a year ago club h denied se allegations and h also terminated its contract with I3 Ventures, firm responsible for operating Barcelona's social media accounts.

An external audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers helped clear club of any wrongdoing as y found out that club did t pay an inflated price for any of I3's services. Despite this audit, local authorities have continued investigating and conducting ir own research since beginning of 2020. Several raids have been conducted on Barcelona's office ever since this story was revealed.

As per allegations, I3 Ventures along with Bartomeu and ors were involved in attacking social media accounts of various people related to club. At first, it was believed that only former players such as Xavi Hernandez and Pep Guardiola were attacked. However, it was later revealed that attacks were also me on current players such as Gerard Pique and Lionel Messi.

RE: Barcagate Scandal: Watch Police RAID Camp u Offices As CEO, Bartomeu Arrested

Camp u raid takes place week ahe of Barcelona elections

Camp u raid takes place just a week prior to crucial Barcelona presidential elections. elections are scheduled to take place on March 7 and more than 20,000 Barcelona members are believed to have alrey cast ir votes. Three candidates are in running for this election: Victor Font, Joan Laporta, and Toni Freixa.

RE: What Is Barcagate Social Media Scandal? Why Was Bartomeu Arrested?