Joan Laporta, the outgoing leader of FC Barcelona and a candidate in the upcoming presidential election, has addressed a major controversy: a lawsuit submitted against him and several members of his board to Spain’s Audiencia Nacional. The case, revealed by El Periódico, alleges money laundering, irregular commissions, overseas financial operations and tax-related offences involving Laporta and senior club officials.
“Everything about this is obscure, suspicious and completely absurd,” Laporta said firmly, rejecting the accusations and describing them as part of a sustained campaign to discredit both him and his bid to return to office.
The legal complaint lists Laporta, his brother Xavier, five board directors and three executives. It centres on commercial agreements involving Barça Vision, New Era Visionary Group, Limak, Nike and VIP hospitality contracts. The claim argues that these arrangements masked unlawful commissions channelled through firms based in Spain, Cyprus, Croatia, Estonia and Dubai.
The lawsuit arrives at a time when Laporta is widely viewed as the leading contender to reclaim the presidency. He maintains that the action is designed to weaken his candidacy and create instability within the club itself.
“There are people who want to damage us. We cannot publish every contract in full. Transparency has its boundaries, determined by the club’s strategy. Certain documents could harm Barça or contain confidential clauses. Within those limits, we act with maximum openness. That is how business works,” Laporta stated in defence of the club’s practices.
Barcelona also released an official response, branding the accusations “unfounded and far removed from reality,” and warning that legal proceedings could be taken against the member who filed the complaint as well as any media outlets that present the allegations as established fact.
