The arrests of several former officials of the Spanish football club are related to last year's "Barcagate" scandal and come less than a week before presidential elections.
Police are said to have detained Barcelona's ex-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, current chief executive Oscar Grau, head of legal services Roma Gomez Ponti and Bartomeu's advisor Jaume MasferrerImage: Albert Gea/REUTERS
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Police detained the former president of Spanish soccer giants FC Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and other senior club officials on Monday.
The arrests were part of a police investigation into the "Barcagate" controversy.
They followed a raid at Barcelona's offices and come just six days ahead of presidential elections.
Which Barcelona officials were arrested?
Catalan police did not say who were taken into custody but presidential candidate Joan Laporta confirmed reports that Bartomeu was among those detained.
Spanish media outlets also named Barcelona's current chief executive Oscar Grau, head of legal services Roman Gomez Ponti and Bartomeu's advisor Jaume Masferrer.
Court officials said a judge ordered Monday's search and seize operation but that the arrests had been made at the discretion of the police officers involved.
The operation was carried out by the police's financial crimes department, according to local authorities.
How has Barcelona reacted?
FC Barcelona said it offered "full collaboration to the legal and police authorities to help make clear facts which are subject to investigation."
"The information and documentation requested by the judicial police force relate strictly to the facts relative to this case. FC Barcelona (expresses) its utmost respect for the judicial process in place and for the principle of presumed innocence for the people affected within the remit of this investigation," Barcelona said.
Football Money League: the richest football clubs on the planet
Barcelona top Deloitte's Football Money League for the very first time, surpassing archrivals Real Madrid as the world's richest club. Bayern Munich in fourth are the only Bundesliga club in the top 10.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/J. Monfort
Barcelona - 840.8 million euros
The Catalans top the Money League for the very first time and are the first football club ever to generate an annual revenue of more than €800 million. Barca have increased their revenue by more than €150m compared to 2019 after bringing merchandizing and licensing activities in-house. The club's biggest asset remains Lionel Messi. The Argentinian superstar is not for sale.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/J. Monfort
Real Madrid - 757.3 million euros
Barcelona's archrivals Real Madrid have dropped to second place after a year of mixed results on the pitch. The 13-times European champions increased their revenue by only 0.99 percent from last year (€750.9m) but that could change again in 2020. The club from the Spanish capital are after the signatures of big names such as Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé to usher in a new Galacticos era.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/H. Ammar
Manchester United - 711.5 million euros
Two years ago, the Red Devils topped the Deloitte ranking but now Manchester United are back down to third, just as in 2019. The 20-times English champions increased their revenue by almost 50 million euros this year but, with on-pitch struggles again leaving Champions League qualification in doubt, they are in danger of being superceded by local rivals Manchester City in next year's Money League.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/empics/M. Rickett
Bayern Munich - 660.1 million euros
New Bayern president Herbert Hainer (left) has inherited a healthy club from Uli Hoeness (right). The Bavarian giants increased their revenue by €31m this year, but an extended deal with automobile partner and 8.33% shareholder Audi is reported to be worth a further €50m a year until 2029. Despite earning less TV money than English or Spanish clubs, Bayern held on to fourth place in the ranking.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/T. Hase
Paris St. Germain - 635.9 million euros
For the past eight years, the French club have been financed by the Qatari state investment group QSI. The Qataris have pumped hundreds of millions into the club in order to sign top players like Neymar and hire quality coaches such as Thomas Tuchel, formerly of Borussia Dortmund. The club's main goal has been to lift the Champions League trophy but money hasn't proven to be enough so far.
Image: Reuters/C. Hartmann
Manchester City - 610.6 million euros
Another club bankrolled by a Gulf state and which dreams of winning the Champions League, Manchester City have been owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group since 2008, changing the fortunes of a club which spent decades in their red neighbor's shadow. Since the takeover, City have won the Premier League four times and in 2016 they hired coach Pep Guardiola with Champions League success in mind.
Image: picture-alliance/empics/PA Wire/M. Rickett
Liverpool - 604.7 million euros
But where Man City have so far failed, Liverpool have succeeded. The Reds won a sixth Champions League / European Cup in 2019 under German coach Jürgen Klopp, but it's been 30 years since they were last crowned English champions. This season, that dream is closer than ever, and lifting the Premier League trophy should translate into more revenue for the Merseyside club in 2020.
Image: Reuters/K. Pfaffenbach
Tottenham Hotspur - 521.1 million euros
Spurs owe their improved place in the ranking mainly to their brand new stadium, opened in April 2019. Increased matchday earnings at the "New White Hart Lane" hav contributed to a 21% rise in total revenue, enabling last season's Champions League finalists to leapfrog local North London rivals Arsenal into eighth place - a record high for the club currently managed by Jose Mourinho.
Italian record champions Juventus moved back into the top 10 with Deloitte claiming that the arrival of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo "increased Juventus' commercial appeal". The 34-year-old joined Juventus from Real Madrid for more than €100 million in July 2018. other signings such as Matthijs de Ligt also boosted Juventus' brand visibility and commercial revenue.
Image: AFP/I. Bonotto
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What is the 'Barcagate' scandal?
The club released a statement confirming the operation was tied to last year's "Barcagate" — when it was accused of covering up payments made to I3 Ventures.
Officials were accused of hiring the company to carry out a smear campaign against current and ex-players who were critical of the club, to enhance the image of then-President Bartomeu and other senior club officials on social media.
Barcelona had denied the accusations that it hired a company to make such comments.
The football club is currently more than €1.1 billion ($1.3 billion) in debt.
