Bartomeu Denies Ruining Barcelona, Defends Management

Josep Maria Bartomeu, the former president of Barcelona, has broken his silence to defend his management of the club. He stated that despite facing five economic crime complaints, none of them accuse him of personal enrichment or misappropriating funds. Bartomeu also raised concerns about the Mossos' conduct during the Barçagate investigation, questioning the unusual arrests and the subsequent hiring of some individuals involved in the operation by Barcelona. He suggested this situation was abnormal and warrants further discussion.

Bartomeu further alleged that the current board, led by Joan Laporta, intentionally inflated the club's losses in 2021. He believes this was a strategy to circumvent financial regulations and remove the need for a director's guarantee if they were to lose the elections. He also commented on the Negreira case, stating he paid Javier Enriquez, Negreira's son, for scouting reports and did not realize the elder Negreira was involved, denying any referee or match-fixing schemes. He pointed out that other clubs, including Real Madrid, also obtain referee reports.

Regarding the club's financial situation, Bartomeu asserted that Barcelona is not ruined, attributing the crisis to the significant impact of COVID-19, which cost the club over 500 million euros in lost revenue. He argued that the club needs effective management and new income streams, not the narrative of ruin propagated by the current board. Bartomeu also expressed bewilderment over Lionel Messi's departure, stating that Messi was willing to take an economic sacrifice to stay and questioning why his contract was allowed to expire without renewal.