Police raids were carried out in Barcelona. The main reason behind the police being so involved is because of financial crimes conducted on behalf of the Barcagate scandal reportedly being conducted by Josep Maria Bartomeu and his staff.
Ex Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu was arrested along with Oscar Grau, Roman Gomez Ponti and Jaume Masferrer.
The Barcelona presidential election is scheduled to be held on 7th March and the three candidates vying for the role are – Joan Laporta, Victor Font and Toni Freixa. All of them had their own say in the arrest of the previous Barcelona staffs. Here’s what they said:
Toni Freixa
Freiza spoke to Catalunya Radio about the situation. He stated: “When there is a judicial matter, if the judge knows who is being investigated and if the entity makes itself available then there is no need for this kind of search.”
“All the documentation should be at the judge’s disposal. We’ll find out what led to the entry into the offices and the search in the coming days.”
Freixa also posted a message on social media: “Too many people want to cause damage to Barcelona.”
“We won’t allow that. You’ll never walk alone.”
Joan Laporta
Laporta spoke to ElNacional.cat. He said: “We have to keep the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven with all judicial and police matters.”
“I just lament how the club’s reptation is left. I lament how its image is presented in the national and international landscape.”
Victor Font
Font retweeted messages of support for his candidacy along the lines of “it’s time to end the corruption”.
