Ex-Barca president Bartomeu again denies payments to journalists

Josep Maria Bartomeu denies that, as president of FC Barcelona, he paid two journalists to defend him and his board of directors in the public sphere.

The former Barça president has stated in a press release that this is "an erroneous and perverse interpretation of conversations between different people, journalists and executives" and denies any involvement.

This week, Cadena SER revealed that the Mossos d'Esquadra had presented a report in which it was said that Bartomeu's board of directors had paid two journalists in order to protect his reputation and attack other members within the Barça entourage.

"Once again, I am submitting a statement against the content of a new report by the Mossos d'Esquadra, pointing to the existence of payments ordered by me to journalists in order to defend myself before public opinion and, at the same time, to criticise other Barcelona supporters," Bartomeu said.

"The latest report presented by Mossos before the 13th Court of Instruction of Barcelona tries to conclude, falsely, that, in addition, money was allocated from FC Barcelona, under my presidency, to third-party companies to pay certain journalists for the same purpose of protecting my reputation.

"Both conclusions are not true but a perverse and erroneous interpretation of conversations between different people, journalists and executives, from which further assumptions are made and not hard evidence.

"I categorically deny that, by my order or with my consent, journalists were paid by FC Barcelona for the purpose, or in exchange, of defending the management or my person."