NO RESIGNATION
Barca president sitting tight despite Neymar trial
BARCELONA
BARCELONA president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted on Tuesday he would remain in his post despite his upcoming date with a judge concerning the Neymar transfer case.
“To all those who have said that the management team or myself are thinking about resigning, I say we haven’t the slightest intention of doing so,” the 54-yearold Bartomeu told the clubs stake-holding fans known as ‘socios’.
“We feel we are in a legitimate position to continue making decisions for the club and we shall continue with enthusiasm and energy.”
Bartomeu took over in 2015 after predecessor Sandro Rosell was forced out amid the scandal surrounding the transfer of brilliant Brazil captain Neymar.
Ten days ago Neymar, his former club Santos,
To all those who have said that the management team or myself are thinking about resigning, I say we haven’t the slightest intention of doing so. JOSEP MARIA BARTOMEU
Barca president
Barcelona, Bartomeu and Rosell were all told they would stand trial in an investigation into the 2013 transfer.
The current Barcelona president feels the player and Barcelona are victims of a conflict of interests between Brazilian tax authorities and Santos.
Neymar’s arrival from Santos has been a huge success for the Spanish champions on the pitch but a judicial nightmare off it.
The case initiated with a complaint from Brazilian investment company DIS, which owned 40 per cent of Neymar’s sporting rights at the time of his transfer.
DIS received just €6.8 million (RM31.9 million) — 40 per cent of the €17 million fee paid to Santos — with the company claiming it was cheated out of its real share because part of the transfer fee was concealed by Barcelona, Santos and the Neymar family.
The court suspects Santos were actually paid €25 million, which would mean DIS was cheated out of €3.5 million.
Barcelona originally published the transfer figure as €57.1 million, with €40 million of that given to the player’s family and the rest to Santos.