Barcelona FC Under Investigation for Alleged Tax Irregularities

Barcelona Football Club is facing a new investigation into alleged financial irregularities occurring between 2018 and 2020, with Catalan police reporting findings to the Barcelona Court today.

The investigation centers on claims that the club sought to lower tax rates through questionable financial dealings. Specifically, investigators are scrutinizing a €10 million payment made to Business Futbol España (BFE) for intermediation services described as “non-existent or overestimated.” This transaction allegedly involved alterations to player contracts designed to reduce transfer tax obligations, particularly concerning the 2018 acquisition of Brazilian player Malcom from Bordeaux for €41 million.

Former president Josep Maria Bartomeu and other club executives are under investigation, accused of unfair management practices for making decisions without the approval of the Board of Directors. The current administration, led by Joan Laporta, has proactively initiated a tax regularization process in an attempt to mitigate potential sanctions; however, the investigation remains ongoing. This latest probe adds to the club’s recent financial scrutiny, following previous investigations into payments made to external referees – you can read more about Barcelona’s legal challenges on Reuters.

Financial irregularities at major football clubs often lead to significant penalties, including fines and points deductions, impacting their performance in domestic and international competitions. Authorities have stated they will continue to gather evidence and pursue all available legal avenues.