FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has held a press conference announcing the results of a forensic financial investigation into the club’s accounts, declaring that the Prosecutor’s Office in Spain will have access to documents and monetary trails which could have criminal implications.
The Camp Nou club carry debts of over €1.3bn (£1bn) and had to make huge savings and establish a long-term loan provision earlier this season, just to be able to pay their enormous player salary and register players for the season. One of the knock-on effects was the departure of Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi on a free transfer, with several others players having to renegotiate lowered wages.
