Barcelona president blames former president for Neymar tax fraud

Current Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has denied any involvement in the deal that brought Neymar to the Catalan club.

Earlier this month, Bartomeu was named a suspect in a tax fraud probe regarding the signing of the Brazilian superstar. Neymar’s transfer fee has been under scrutiny since his arrival at the Camp Nou in June 2013.

Speaking in front of a national court judge, Bartomeu denied any guilt and point an accusatory finger at former club president Sandro Rosell.

Rosell resigned in January 2014 after the same national court judge agreed to hear a lawsuit brought by a club member into whether the then-Barcelona president misappropriated funds to hide the transfer cost paid to the Brazilian club Santos for Neymar.

Today, Bartomeu claimed he was not involved in any negotiations or the drafting of any of the seven contracts which formed part of the deal to sign Neymar. The current Barcelona president said when he took over control of the club, he signed the relevant papers and gave instructions to Barcelona’s tax consultants to work with zero risk; and pay anything that might be owed to the tax agency. The club then deposited 13.5 million euros into the state’s coffers – an amount that was seen as more than sufficient to cover any potential tax debts.

Following today’s legal proceedings, Bartomeu left the courtroom and refused to speak to reporters.