Judge Pablo Ruz decided to indict Barcelona's President Josep Maria Bartomeu for tax evasion issues regarding Neymar's transfer back in 2013. Bartomeu's involvement in the Brazilian wingman's transfer had been denied in the early stages of the investigation, but the prosecution asked Barcelona's top executive to declare on the matter.
Sources indicate Barcelona's officers evaded almost 3 million euros in tax payments which should have been authorized by either the club or its President, leading to Bartomeu's implication in the legal matter. Added to his responsibility, former team President Sandro Rosell was charged for tax evasion, which led him to present his resignation from Barcelona's top executive position.
With the ongoing investigation, the club issued a statement denying any involvement by their president, adding the organization is "shocked and outraged" by the authorities' decision.
"The discrepancies over the sums to be withheld on these amounts "do not appear to provide sufficient reasons to request that charges to be brought. FC Barcelona will act firmly and using every legal resource available to continue its defense against the team's interests. Furthermore, the club will not allow any damage to its image and to the outcome of a transfer that's proven to be historic and strategic," can be read in the team's press release.
Bartomeu will have his day at the court on February 13th, prior to the team's game against Levante.
