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In early 2023, Joan Laporta and Barcelona found themselves embroiled in the Negreira scandal.
Accusations of bribing the former vice-president of the Referee’s Committee, for favorable decisions were the backbone of the case. This scandal thrust the club into a prolonged legal struggle to clear its name.
Joan Laporta, who was president during part of the period in question, became a central figure in this legal drama. Despite the allegations dating back to his first term as president, Laporta maintained the club’s innocence throughout the ordeal.
In a significant victory, the 21st section of the Barcelona Court of Appeal recently ruled in favor of Joan Laporta. This decision, reported by Mundo Deportivo, clears Laporta and his associates of criminal charges related to the Negreira case.
The Court’s ruling overturns a previous decision by Barcelona Investigating Court No. 1 from October 2023. It had implicated Laporta and other board members from the 2003-2010 period in the alleged payments to Negreira.
The appeal court’s decision was due to the fact that Negreira could not be considered a public official, a crucial element in the bribery charge.
This ruling has been a positive for the Blaurgana, marking a significant step in their efforts to clear their name.
Bad news for former president
While this ruling was a win for Laporta, the legal proceedings continue for other former Barcelona presidents. Sandro Rosell, who served as president from 2010 to 2014, had his appeal rejected by the court and remains implicated.
He will join Josep Maria Bartomeu, who served as president from 2014 to 2020, and former CEO Oscar Grau and former director of professional sports Albert Soler.
Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu remain two of the most controversial and disliked figures in Barcelona history
The…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelonas-battle-over-negreira-scandal-major-win-for-laporta/
Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-06-01 18:02:54
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