• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 5, 2025

FC Barcelona Offices Raided, Bartomeu Arrested

  • Former FC Barcelona Josep Maria Bartomeu was arrested on Monday following a police raid of the club’s offices.
  • The arrest is likely connected to an alleged social media smear campaign led by I3 Ventures, a marketing firm that worked with the club.
Photo: FC Barcelona/Design: Alex Brooks

As an election to install FC Barcelona’s new president looms this coming Sunday, the club saw its former president arrested Monday after Catalan authorities raided its offices.

Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned as club president last October, his adviser Jaume Masferrer, the club’s current CEO Oscar Grau, and head of legal services Roman Gomez Ponti were all arrested on Monday, and are believed to be in police detention.

FC Barcelona said it will fully comply with the investigations.

The arrests appear related to a scandal in which the club is alleged to have purposefully overpaid a marketing firm, I3 Ventures, to create social media smear campaigns targeting Barcelona players, including Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, former captain Xavi Hernandez, and two candidates to replace Bartomeu as club president. Investigations connected Facebook pages attacking those individuals to I3 Ventures.

The club denied the allegations, and terminated its relationship with I3. Catalan police also searched I3’s offices.

Last year, more than 20,000 fans signed a petition calling for Bartomeu to step down, triggering a referendum on his status. He resigned, along with the club’s entire board of directors, before the vote took place, and was replaced on an interim basis by Carles Tusquets.

FC Barcelona expects to lose a total of $600 million as a result of the pandemic. Messi, the club’s superstar, is rumored to be packing his bags for when he can exit his contract in June.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Leo Messi

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
Club World Cup

Club World Cup Opening Weekend: 80,000 at Rose Bowl, Dry Pitch at..

FIFA’s new tournament started with some surprising successes and early issues.
Soccer

Club World Cup Tickets Plunge: See Messi for $4

Some students were offered five tickets for $20 to the opening match.

Featured Today

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Apr 10, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; (L-R) Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), Ovechkin's wife Nastya, and sons Sergei and Ilya watch a video during a ceremony honoring Ovechkin's becoming the NHL all-time goals leader prior to the Capitals' game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena.

Ted Leonsis Says His $7B Sports Empire Beats the NFL Model

Why synergy is the future of sports ownership.
July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.
April 14, 2025

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
March 13, 2025

Junior Bridgeman Was the Prototype for Business Success After Sports

He started with Wendy’s franchises, later expanding into bottling, magazines, and more.
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; A$AP Rocky on the sideline after halftime during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium.
February 27, 2025

A$AP Rocky Could Be Latest Celebrity Owner in English Soccer

Following his acquittal, the rapper is closer to owning Tranmere Rovers.
Oct 23, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley addresses the crowd during the Pat Riley Court dedication ceremony at halftime at Kaseya Center.
February 14, 2025

Here’s Where Pat Riley’s Three-Peat Trademark Money Goes

Riley has the phrase trademarked despite having no three-peat of his own.
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters (L) talks with Commanders owner Josh Harris (R) on the field prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium.
December 4, 2024

CEO Leaves $13 Billion Soup Company to Run Commanders

The new president will lead the planning and development of the team’s stadium.