Barça release statement after police search offices & arrest Bartomeu
The club express its "utmost respect for the judicial process and for the principle of presumed innocence"
Barcelona have released a statement after police searched the club's offices on Monday relating to the Barçagate social media scandal.
Later in the day, former president Josep Maria Bartomeu was one of four men arrested. Bartomeu's adviser, Jaume Masferrer, the club's CEO Oscar Grau and head of legal Roman Gomez Ponti were also detained for questioning.
"Regarding the entry and search by the Catalan Police force this morning at the Camp Nou offices by order of the Instructing Court number 13 in Barcelona, which is in charge of the case relating to the contacting of monitoring services on social networks, FC Barcelona have offered up their full collaboration to the legal and police authorities to help make clear facts which are subject to investigation," a statement from Barça read.
"The information and documentation requested by the judicial police force relate strictly to the facts relative to this case."
"FC Barcelona express its utmost respect for the judicial process in place and for the principle of presumed innocence for the people affected within the remit of this investigation."
Bartomeu’s board was suspected of paying PR company I3 ventures to polish his image while criticising his opponents and tarnishing the image of former and even current players at the club.
Barca and I3 had denied the allegations, while an audit by PrincewaterhouseCoopers also found them innocent.
