Barcelona have been fined €23 million for falsifying payments made to agents between 2012 and 2015. The club reportedly tried to cover up agent payment fees in an attempt to pay their players more money.
They were unable to properly document these payments, and avoided paying taxes on them over the specified period. The Spanish side originally owed around €8 million in the form of taxes. But the penalties and fines have now taken the payment up to €23 million.
Barcelona fined for falsifying agent payments
“FC Barcelona has been informed of the verdict on income tax (IRPF) of the National Court regarding the appeal presented by the club with respect to the tax inspection concerning payments made to players’ agents between 2012 and 2015,” an official statement from the club said.
“FC Barcelona shall be presenting an appeal to the Supreme Court.
“This ruling does not entail any payment obligation for the club at present, this contingency being properly provisioned in the annual accounts.”
The club added that they would take the matter up to the Spanish Supreme Court, after the decision passed in the National Court. They also made comparisons as to how they were able to succeed with an identical appeal, but failed to do so this time.
In terms of publicity, the new case only adds to the tarnishing that took place under Sandro Rossell and Josep Maria Bartomeu. The Negreira case has already been a matter of intense discussion, and the new income tax case matter only compounds things against the club.
With first team manager Xavi leaving in the summer, the club is in turmoil on and off the pitch yet again. And they will hope to have sorted matters out in the coming months by appointing a new first team coach who can bring stability.
Will Barcelona pay the fine immediately?
No, they will appeal the matter again.
