Josep Maria Bartomeu

The financial structure of Neymar's transfer triggered several proceedings. In 2016, FC Barcelona accepted a tax-related conviction/settlement and a fine, while Bartomeu and Rosell were personally cleared in this aspect. In the separate “Neymar 2” case brought in particular by DIS, Bartomeu and Rosell were acquitted, with the acquittal upheld by the Supreme Court in April 2026.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Course of the proceedings

1. Formally charged — Formal charge before the current outcome

The Barçagate scandal concerns contracts with I3 Ventures/Nicestream to monitor and influence social media, with accounts that also attacked figures opposed to the leadership. Investigators examined the splitting of contracts and possible offences of disloyal administration and corruption between private parties. In 2026, the Mossos indicated that Bartomeu received numerous reports and, in some cases, promoted interventions.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In January 2026, a Barcelona criminal court convicted Bartomeu and Jaume Masferrer of a continuing offence of serious public insults directed at Jaume Roures through accounts managed within the I3 Ventures network. Bartomeu received a fine of 6,000 euros and was ordered jointly to pay 10,000 euros in compensation.

Attribution

Personally implicated

The Negreira investigation examines more than seven million euros paid by Barça to companies linked to the former vice-president of the referees' committee. Bartomeu was questioned as a person under investigation and defended the usefulness of technical reports, denying any purchase of favourable refereeing decisions. As at 1 September 2026, the judge refused a further extension but had yet to issue the formal order closing the investigation.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following an audit commissioned by the new leadership, prosecutors attributed potential losses suffered by the club to Bartomeu and former officials in several transactions, particularly a commission linked to Malcom's transfer, legal fees relating to Neymar and a transaction of approximately 1.5 million euros involving Espai Barça.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Messi's attempted departure by burofax, followed by Luis Suárez's exit, brought tensions with Bartomeu into the open. Messi criticised how the club had treated Suárez and, more broadly, the president's sporting leadership.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A no-confidence campaign collecting more than 20,000 signatures forced a vote of no confidence in Bartomeu amid a sporting, financial and institutional crisis. Before the vote, Bartomeu and his entire board resigned in October 2020.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Spanish federation concluded that Barça had breached its rules by negotiating with Antoine Griezmann while he was still under contract with Atlético, and fined the club 300 euros. The player was cleared.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

On 1 October 2017, amid violence surrounding the Catalan referendum, Bartomeu decided to play Barça–Las Palmas behind closed doors rather than cancel the match. The decision deeply divided the club's community, and two board members resigned.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

FIFA imposed a two-transfer-window registration ban on FC Barcelona for violations of rules concerning minor players. Bartomeu acknowledged administrative errors while disputing the proportionality of the sanction.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility