Judge threatens Barcelona President with fine after skipping court summons in fraud case | OneFootball

Barcelona President Joan Laporta, former board member Xavier Sala i Martin and Vice-President Rafael Yuste have all been threatened with sanctions by the presiding judge in the ‘Albert Ramos case’. They were due to give evidence in court today due to a legal case involving an alleged €100k bribe.

Hong Kong-based investment fund CSSB Ltd. have filed a complaint against Joan Oliver, for fraud to the tune of €100k. He was at the time their representative at Reus, who were the major shareholders in the club, owning 57.11% of the club. Diario AS say that Laporta was due to give evidence in the case today, but did not justify his absence. He will be summoned again for the 15th of July, and faces sanctions if he does not show again.

Laporta is not yet accused of any wrongdoing, but the justice department have re-opened a legal case filed by tennis player Albert Ramos, who also loaned €100k to Reus. Laporta was a representative of some of the businesses loaning money to Reus, which are being investigated for financial irregularities, explain Diari de Tarragona.

Reus were on the verge of dissolution under the management of Oliver, who had shared a close friendship with agent Jorge Mendes. A number of relatively high-profile players arrived at the club, but debts to the tune of €5m were run up.