Barcelona deny corruption after six board members resign

Barcelona have denied what club describes as "serious and unfounded accusations" of corruption after a former vice-president claimed someone "had put ir hands in till". Emili Rousaud was one of six board members to resign on Thursday night as Barca continue to be embroiled in political crisis under ir current president Josep Maria Bartomeu. All six resigning board members called for 2021 presidential elections to be brought forward in a joint letter published on Friday by newspaper La Vanguardia.

Barcelona deny corruption

In an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Rousaud discussed social media controversy that rocked club in February, when Barcelona were accused of hiring a company called I3 Ventures to discredit opponents of Bartomeu online, including players like Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique.

"If auditors tell us cost of se services is 100,000 euros and we have paid one million, it means someone has put ir hand in till. I have evidence and I cant say who," Rousaud told programme RAC1 on Friday.

Barcelona responded with an official statement that read: "In light of serious and unfounded accusations made this morning by Emili Rousaud, ex-vice president of club, in different interviews with media, FC Barcelona categorically denies any activity that can be described as corruption and refore reserves right to any legal action that may correspond." 

Bartomeu terminated club's contract with I3 Ventures in February. He said company had been hired only to monitor posts on social media and anunced an internal audit to investigate any irregularity. " analysis of monitoring services of social networks is being subjected to an independent audit by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC), which is still ongoing and, refore, without any conclusions," Barcelona's statement added. Rousaud had been appointed as a club vice-president in January and was seen as a leading candidate to succeed Bartomeu, who cant stand again when presidential elections come round next year.

Instead, Rousaud has quit, citing frustrations with club's manment, along with fellow vice-president Enrique Tombas, as well as directors Silvio Elias, Josep Pont, Jordi Calsamiglia and Maria Teixidor. Bartomeu has overseen a string of political spats in recent months being played out in public, with Messi also involved. Messi reacted angrily in January to Eric Abidal, club's technical secretary, suggesting players were to blame for sacking of Ernesto Valverde and last month, Argentinian criticised club's handling of negotiations with squad over pay cuts.

Those remaining swiftly addressed resignations from board. " resignations of members of board of directors anunced over last few hours have come about due to a reorganisation of board put forward by president Josep Maria Bartomeu and which will be completed in next few days," statement added. 

Im credits: AP