Catalan Police have submitted a report to a Barcelona court alleging that Barca’s embattled president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, may have indulged in corrupt practices through a deal with social media agency l3 Investments.
The police (Los Mossos De Esquadra) say that an inflated price of over 600% the market rate was paid to the media company I3 Ventures with the club circumnavigating internal club policy to pay the agency.
The subsequent dismissal of the Barca president’s former right hand man Jaume Masferrer was nothing more than a show for the public and authorities, the police argue.
Earlier this year, Spanish radio station Cadena SER revealed documents which appeared to show that Barcelona had hired an external company – I3 Ventures – to tarnish the reputations of a number of popular figures who were perceived to be opponents of the president.
Messi and Gerard Piqué were among those who were reportedly the subject of derogatory social media posts made by I3 Ventures, along with club legends such as Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez and Pep Guardiola.
The latest accusations against Bartomeu come in the midst of Messi’s transfer saga, with the Argentinian star forward indicating that he wanted to leave the Catalan giants.
There have been no shortage of suitors for the world’s best player, with Man City said to have prepared a lucrative offer that could see Messi searn $598m over five seasons should he move to the Etihad. The Barca stalwart would also earn as much as $229m in bonuses should the deal materialize.
After a meeting with Bartomeu on Wednesday night, Messi’s father Jorge said that his son might see out the remainder of his contract at Barca.