Joan Laporta has stepped down as Barcelona’s president. His resignation is in line with the club’s statutes, which require that the incumbent president and any board members who wish to re-contest in elections must first resign from their positions.
Article 42.f of the club’s statutes is intended to ensure that the electoral process is fair, preventing sitting officials from using their current authority or resources to gain an advantage.
The club is set to hold its election on March 15, and with Laporta’s resignation, a management commission will oversee the day-to-day running of the club in the meantime.
That commission will be led by Rafa Yuste, who has been one of Laporta’s vice presidents since his election in 2021.
Laporta will contest the presidency with Víctor Font, Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana, and Joan Camprubí, all of whom have announced their candidacies.
As part of the requirements to qualify as a candidate for the presidency, all aspirants are expected to secure 2,321 signatures from club members as a testament to support for their candidacy.
The campaign trail will now begin in earnest, with some of the issues which may sway votes likely to include potential summer signings, the club’s finances, the redevelopment of Spotify Camp Nou, which is now in the final stages, and any future role for Lionel Messi at the club.
Laporta was elected in 2021 for a second spell as Barça president, having previously held the role between 2003 and 2010, courtesy of election wins in 2003 and 2006.
He finished ahead of Font five years ago after obtaining 30,184 votes to Font’s 16,679, with Toni Freixa, who is not running this time, finishing third with 4,769 votes.
Former Germany defender Jerome Boateng is currently training with Barcelona as he seeks to complete his coaching internship as part of the requirements to secure a coaching license.
The former forward of Austrian side LASK announced his retirement from football in about two months ago saying he feels ready to stop playing, not because he has to. Following this, he has begun a journey to attain practical coaching skills as he eyes a coaching role after his professional football career.
He joins Barcelona after his internship with his former club, Bayern was abruptly terminated even before he could start following fan protests over his legal history of domestic abuse of his former wife and other partners.
Barcelona officially acknowledged Boateng’s presence via their social media channels, posting a video of his arrival with the message: “Welcome to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Jerome Boateng!” The Catalan club have opened their doors to the 2014 World Cup winner to allow him to observe training sessions under Flick, whom he worked with successfully during treble-winning campaigns at Bayern and with the Germany national team.
A Report from Sport.es indicates that Boateng is expected to spend several days using the club’s facilities as he navigates the next steps in his post-playing career.
About Boateng’s terminated internship with Bayern
This comes after the club announced the revocation of the former player’s opportunity to intern, following protests from fans over Jerome’s conviction on July 19, 2024, by a Munich regional court of premeditated bodily harm against his former partner during a violent altercation during a Caribbean vacation in 2018.
Jerome’s ex-partner, the mother of his children, accused him of throwing a lamp at her, which missed, after which he followed with a small box that injured her arm.
Consequently, following head coach Vincent Kompany’s announcement of having Boateng join the German champions for “an internship for a few weeks” during a press conference in September, after Jerome’s official announcement of his retirement from football, fans have brutally protested, particularly on Saturday, October 19, 2025, during Bayern’s home match against Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Some fans in the Südkurve (South Stand) displayed a large banner reading: “Whoever gives the offender space shares his guilt, f*** off, Boateng!”. One banner displayed by ultras read: “Draw the line against misogynistic violence”, while another stated: “No place for villains in our club, no more space for Boateng,” alongside explicit chants telling the former defender to leave. Consequently, Bayern management made the decision to halt the internship programme for their former player in response to the hostile reaction.
In July 2024, a Munich court issued a final ruling in a long-running case concerning assault against his ex-partner and mother of his twin daughters, Sherin Senler.
The protests were part of a broader backlash, including an online petition and widespread criticism on social media.
Kompany, during a post-match interview, was asked about the club’s decision regarding the former player’s internship offer, but dodged the question.
He said, “Nice try. Let’s first talk about the game. Only the sporting side is important today.” However, Bayern later released a statement announcing that the offer to intern with the club had been suspended temporarily.
he statement read: “In a constructive exchange between FC Bayern and Jerome Boateng this week, it was decided that Jerome Boateng will not intern at FC Bayern. Jerome feels very connected to FC Bayern and does not want FC Bayern to suffer damage due to the current controversial discussion surrounding his person.”
The club’s CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, speaking during a media engagement, described Jerome’s case as“a complicated” one, citing the need to grant people in such cases rehabilitation.
“I believe that every person is entitled to rehabilitation. The verdict should be considered in its entirety. Again, we have no employment relationship with Jerome. Jerome has been a long-time player with us and has won many titles with us. And if there is an agreement for him to watch some training sessions, as is the case as a coach, then that’s absolutely fine,” he said.
Jerome, on the other hand, took to his official Instagram page, where he expressed his appreciation to the club, Kompany and the fans as well. He mentioned he had decided to focus and getting a coaching licences and other important matters.
It read: “Dear FC Bayern, dear Vincent: after the recent discussions about my person, I have decided to focus on my subjects – the A license, RYZR, and Arena2. That’s currently my focus, and your full focus should solely be on the pitch – and the goal of continuing this impressive streak of 13 consecutive wins.
“I’m very grateful to the club’s management and to you, dear Vincent, for the trust and the opportunity to be a part of it. I wholeheartedly wish… that you achieve your big goals by the end of the season. I also want to sincerely thank the many fans for the numerous messages and their support.”
In addition to playing over 200 games for Bayern, Boateng also represented Hertha Berlin, Hamburg and Manchester City, and made 76 appearances for Germany, with whom he won the 2014 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Thomas Partey is currently embroiled in a legal tussle regarding sexual misconduct.
The Ghanaian international’s legal woes just four days after he departed from Arsenal. He is currently facing six serious criminal charges in the UK. The charges were formally presented at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5. These charges have been levelled against him by three different women.
In one of the charges, Complainant 1 claims that, between April and May 2021, Partey penetrated her anally during what began as consensual vaginal intercourse, without her consent. She further claims that between April and June 2021, Partey engaged her in anal sex on on at least four separate occasions without her consent.
Complainant 2 also alleges that in December 2021, after she refused to engage in sexual activity, Partey raped her vaginally. She also claims that in February 2022, he penetrated her anally after she explicitly declined anal sex. A third allegation from Complainant 2 states that during a trip to Marbella, Spain, in June 2022, Partey raped her vaginally.
Complainant 3 also claims that in February 2022, Partey lay on top of her, attempted to kiss her, and touched her over her clothes without her consent.
However, the player has denied all the allegations levelled against him. His lawyer has denied the charges of rape and sexual assault against her client.
The statement issued by Partey’s lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, noted:“Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
The lawyer noted that as legal proceedings are ongoing, her client will not make any further comment on the matter. Under UK law, rape and sexual assault are prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which sets out clear definitions and penalties for these crimes.
Rape is defined as intentional penile penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person without their consent and without a reasonable belief that they consent.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has shot down the “unrealistic” speculations of a possible Messi return.
Lionel Messi, one of the club’s favourite, greatest-ever players and longest-serving modern icon, paid an unannounced visit to the stadium on Sunday, November 9, ahead of his camping in Spain with Argentina and ahead of Camp Nou’s partial reopening this November in their clash against Athletic Club in La Liga.
During his visit, he expressed his desire to return not only to bid farewell to fans and the club officially, but for something more than just a goodbye.
In an Instagram post, he wrote alongside pictures he took at the stadium, “Last night, I returned to a place that I miss with all my heart,” he wrote alongside the images on Monday. It’s a place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel like the happiest person in the world a thousand times over. I hope that one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do…”
In reaction to this, Laporta has stated that, “Out of the utmost respect for Messi, the professionals at the club, Barca, and the Barca club members, I believe that now, for me to make speculation that is unrealistic, nor do I think it is fair, well, I believe that is not appropriate,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio.
Barcelona moved temporarily to the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc when renovation works began at Spotify Camp Nou in the Summer of 2023.
While it was set to be ready so use in the 2024/25 season, it saw some delays, pushing the reopening to August 2025.
Barcelona are set to return during the 2025/26 La Liga season, though only the lower tiers will be complete. Work on the upper tiers will continue throughout the season.
Messi spent about twenty-one years at Camp Nou. He joined Barcelona’s famous academy at the age of 13, from Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, between 2000–2004. He made his debut appearance at age 17 when the club played against Spain on October 16, 2004.
Lionel Messi played 778 official matches for Barcelona, scoring a club-record 672 goals, providing 269 assists, and winning 35 major trophies, including 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, 3 FIFA Club World Cups, 3 UEFA Super Cups, and 8 Spanish Super Cups.
He played his last match in August 2021 vs Celta Vigo, before leaving due to financial constraints at the club, and making a ‘hasty’ exit to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
His departure wasn’t formally done due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in place at the time.
Laporta has spoken about a desire to bring Messi back for a tribute game, suggesting it would be the perfect way to inaugurate the new Camp Nou, which has been closed for redevelopment since 2023.
“It would be a great way to open the stadium [when it’s finished], with 105,000 packed in and paying tribute to Leo,” Laporta reiterated to reporters after an open training session in front of 23,000 fans at Camp Nou last week.
“Always, of course, depending on what [the Messi camp] wants. There are also presidential elections before then, but in the case I am still president, I would love that.”
Messi, whose relationship with Laporta cooled following his departure, has never previously commented on the possibility of returning to participate in any such game. Work is still ongoing on Camp Nou.
Barça currently have a license to host games with 25,991 fans present, but hopes to secure a permit to increase that to 45,401 later this month, at which point they will return to the arena, having spent over two years playing at the Olympic Stadium in the city.
However, the third tier still needs to be finished and the roof added. When the refurbishment is completed, which is not anticipated to be until 2027, the capacity will rise to 105,000.
Messi returned to Europe over the weekend after scoring twice on Saturday as third-seeded Inter Miami ousted sixth-seeded Nashville SC in the decisive Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.
Meanwhile, Messi, speaking at the America Business Forum, held at the Kaseya Centre in Miami, highlighted that winning the title of football’s greatest tournament, the FIFA World Cup, is the highest achievement any player can attain in football.
According to him, he feels fulfilled after leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and the memory continues to excite him every time it comes to mind.
The Barcelona icon noted that clinching the Mundial was the perfect way to cap off his footballing career, and nothing more could be asked of him.
“Winning the World Cup is the ultimate achievement. After the World Cup, there’s nothing more you can ask for. It’s hard to explain the feelings from that moment. It’s difficult to find words to describe what that title meant on a personal level, for my family, my teammates, and for the country.
“It was clear how the whole nation celebrated it, the need and desire we all had for that to happen again after such a long time”.
He continued that it was an exceptional experience in his life, having won trophies in his career, but winning the World Cup “completed my entire career with that trophy.”
“…It was special. I had already been lucky enough to achieve everything else before, at club level, individually. That was the one thing missing, the one that completed my entire career with that trophy.”
This comes after his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo rejected the notion that he needs to lead Portugal to a World Cup title to be considered among the greatest players in history.
Messi hints at a return to Camp Nou as he shares pictures of his visit to the renovated stadium of Barcelona.
Barcelona moved temporarily to the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc when renovation works began at Spotify Camp Nou in the Summer of 2023. While it was set to be ready so use in the 2024/25 season, it saw some delays, pushing the reopening to August 2025.
Barcelona are set to return during the 2025/26 La Liga season, though only the lower tiers will be complete. Work on the upper tiers will continue throughout the season.
Lionel Messi, one of the club’s favourite, greatest-ever players and longest-serving modern icon, paid an unannounced visit to the stadium on Sunday, November 9, ahead of his camping in Spain with Argentina and ahead of Camp Nou’s partial reopening this November in their clash against Athletic Club in La Liga.
During his visit, he expressed his desire to return not only to bid farewell to fans and the club officially, but for something more than just a goodbye.
In an Instagram post, he wrote alongside pictures he took at the stadium, “Last night, I returned to a place that I miss with all my heart,” he wrote alongside the images on Monday. It’s a place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel like the happiest person in the world a thousand times over. I hope that one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do…”
Messi spent about twenty-one years at Camp Nou. He joined Barcelona’s famous academy at the age of 13, from Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, between 2000–2004. He made his debut appearance at age 17 when the club played against Spain on October 16, 2004.
Lionel Messi played 778 official matches for Barcelona, scoring a club-record 672 goals, providing 269 assists, and winning 35 major trophies, including 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, 3 FIFA Club World Cups, 3 UEFA Super Cups, and 8 Spanish Super Cups.
He played his last match in August 2021 vs Celta Vigo, before leaving due to financial constraints at the club, and making a ‘hasty’ exit to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
His departure wasn’t formally done due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in place at the time.
Club president Joan Laporta has spoken about a desire to bring Messi back for a tribute game, suggesting it would be the perfect way to inaugurate the new Camp Nou, which has been closed for redevelopment since 2023.
“It would be a great way to open the stadium [when it’s finished], with 105,000 packed in and paying tribute to Leo,” Laporta reiterated to reporters after an open training session in front of 23,000 fans at Camp Nou last week.
“Always, of course, depending on what [the Messi camp] wants. There are also presidential elections before then, but in the case I am still president, I would love that.”
Messi, whose relationship with Laporta cooled following his departure, has never previously commented on the possibility of returning to participate in any such game. Work is still ongoing on Camp Nou.
Barça currently have a license to host games with 25,991 fans present, but hopes to secure a permit to increase that to 45,401 later this month, at which point they will return to the arena, having spent over two years playing at the Olympic Stadium in the city.
However, the third tier still needs to be finished and the roof added. When the refurbishment is completed, which is not anticipated to be until 2027, the capacity will rise to 105,000.
Messi returned to Europe over the weekend after scoring twice on Saturday as third-seeded Inter Miami ousted sixth-seeded Nashville SC in the decisive Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.
Meanwhile, Messi, speaking at the America Business Forum, held at the Kaseya Centre in Miami, highlighted that winning the title of football’s greatest tournament, the FIFA World Cup, is the highest achievement any player can attain in football.
According to him, he feels fulfilled after leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and the memory continues to excite him every time it comes to mind.
The Barcelona icon noted that clinching the Mundial was the perfect way to cap off his footballing career, and nothing more could be asked of him.
“Winning the World Cup is the ultimate achievement. After the World Cup, there’s nothing more you can ask for. It’s hard to explain the feelings from that moment. It’s difficult to find words to describe what that title meant on a personal level, for my family, my teammates, and for the country.
“It was clear how the whole nation celebrated it, the need and desire we all had for that to happen again after such a long time”.
He continued that it was an exceptional experience in his life, having won trophies in his career, but winning the World Cup “completed my entire career with that trophy.”
“…It was special. I had already been lucky enough to achieve everything else before, at club level, individually. That was the one thing missing, the one that completed my entire career with that trophy.”
This comes after his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo rejected the notion that he needs to lead Portugal to a World Cup title to be considered among the greatest players in history.
Chelsea’s star Cole Palmer has tipped Barcelona talent Lamine Yamal as the best player in football at the moment, citing his current form and performance.
He said Yamal’s confidence and exceptional dribbling skills make him exciting to watch. For him, he does it way better than some mature players who may be labelled as the best in the game.
With the Spanish prodigy’s current performance and skills, Palmer believes that the 17-year-old is the world’s best currently.
“I think he’s the best player in the world, to be honest. I feel like everything they do goes through him. When you watch him, he’s incredible.
“You can tell from the way he’s confident, he’s got no fear, and I love watching him,” he said.
Many would say the 2024/2025 season has been Yamal’s best yet, as he has delivered brilliant performances.
He has scored 8 goals in 33 games with 13 assists. In the UEFA Champions League, he played 13 games, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
His stellar performance helped his team win the 2024/2025 La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup, although they were unfortunately eliminated in the semi-final stage of the Champions League.
Some pundits and former footballers believe he is a potential contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
FFormer Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger has criticised Polish referee Szymon Marciniak for awarding what he believes was an unfair penalty to Inter Milan during their dramatic second-leg Champions League clash against Barcelona.
The incident occurred when Inter striker Lautaro Martínez advanced into the box and was challenged by Barça defender Pau Cubarsí, who appeared to slide in and get the ball.
However, following a VAR review, Marciniak ruled the tackle a foul, concluding that Cubarsí made contact with Martínez’s foot before touching the ball.
The resulting penalty proved pivotal in Inter’s 4-3 victory.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS during the post-match analysis, Wenger expressed his frustration with the decision.
🚨🇫🇷 Arsene Wenger on Inter's penalty: "I'm highly AGAINST these kind of penalties. And I'm highly against using slow motion VAR." ❌🚫 pic.twitter.com/3f18Q7qUl4
He argued that Cubarsí clearly played the ball first and questioned the reliance on slow-motion replays to determine such calls, noting that they often distort the true nature of a challenge.
Wenger, now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, also criticised Martínez’s role in the incident, suggesting the forward exaggerated the contact and that the challenge did not merit a penalty.
“I’m highly against this kind of penalty, and I’m against using slow motion on normal pace. He’s first on the ball. Why does he touch him? Look what he’s doing, Martinez leans into him [Cubarsi]. He looks for the penalty. He knows he won’t score now because he feels him there.
“And the referee in this situation shows that he hasn’t made the right decision. Look, he’s first on the ball, and that’s what counts for me. It doesn’t matter if there’s contact. It’s who plays the ball and who wins the ball first. I’m highly against this kind of penalty,” he said.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick and his players were left frustrated and confused by several officiating decisions during their narrow Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan.
The Spanish giants crashed out of the competition after a dramatic 4-3 loss in the second leg at San Siro, with the Italian side advancing 7-6 on aggregate to reach their second final in three years.
In the aftermath, both Flick and his squad voiced strong dissatisfaction with Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, accusing him of making multiple questionable calls that influenced the outcome of the game.
Midfielder Pedri, a standout performer this season, went as far as to call on UEFA to investigate Marciniak’s officiating, reflecting the depth of discontent within the Barcelona camp.
The match was filled with controversy, particularly around two key VAR interventions. In the first half, Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi was initially believed to have cleanly dispossessed Lautaro Martinez in the box, but VAR overturned the call and awarded Inter a penalty, which Hakan Calhanoglu converted.
Later in the second half, Barcelona were awarded a penalty after Henrikh Mkhitaryan appeared to foul Lamine Yamal.
However, after another VAR review, the decision was reversed, with officials determining that the foul occurred just outside the penalty area—despite claims that the contact may have continued into the box.
The contentious decisions added to the heartbreak for Flick’s side, who now turn their focus to domestic competition after narrowly missing out on a place in the final.
Flick raised questions over the officiating, claiming that most of the 50-50 calls went against his side. “I know that everyone’s disappointed now that we’re out, but it’s because we invested a lot in this match,” the German head coach told reporters after the game.
“We came back again (into the game), and I think some decisions, like the 50/50, were always for Inter, but it’s like that, we have to accept it. It’s football.
“I’m proud of my team, we gave everything, and sometimes you feel like it’s unfair because some decisions the referee made were not for our side, but it’s like that. We have to accept it, and we’ll start again next season.
Winning the Champions League is one of our goals, because the fans deserve it. We’ll be back next season in the Champions League.”
In contrast, Inter boss Simone Inzaghi heaped praise on Marciniak. “That’s Barca’s opinion, he’s one of the best referees in Europe and he had a great match,” the Italian told Movistar’s Ricardo Sierra (h/t AS).
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has vowed that his side will return stronger next season following their heartbreaking Champions League elimination at the hands of Inter Milan.
Despite the narrow 7-6 aggregate loss in a thrilling semi-final encounter, Flick praised his players for their determination and resilience.
The defeat brought an end to Barcelona’s dream of securing a quadruple in Flick’s debut campaign, but the German tactician remains optimistic about the future.
“We will be back next season,” Flick said, reflecting on the defeat. “I’m proud of my team, I’m proud of your team, we gave everything, and sometimes it’s like that. We have to accept it, and we start again next season. To win the Champions League, this is one of our goals…”
Hansi Flick’s remarkable success at Bayern Munich—where he led the club to a historic sextuple—is expected to shape his strategy as he looks to rebuild and strengthen Barcelona next season.
With their Champions League journey over, the Catalan side now turns its attention to La Liga, where they currently hold a four-point advantage over arch-rivals Real Madrid.
The two sides are set to clash this Sunday at the Munjua Stadium, with Barcelona aiming to widen the gap at the top to seven points.
“And of course, La Liga, it will be also a tough match on Sunday but we also give everything,” Flick added. “When they (the players) look in the mirror when they arrive at home at three or four o’clock in the night, or in the morning, I think they can be very proud.”
In his debut season, Hansi Flick has already guided Barcelona to triumph in both the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, defeating Real Madrid in the finals of both competitions.
With only four matches remaining in the season, the reigning La Liga champions are now eyeing a domestic treble—hoping to outclass their fierce rivals once more to cap off a successful campaign.
La Liga has dropped a bombshell on Barcelona, stating that the club doesn’t have the financial capacity to register forwards Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.
This development comes after Barcelona was granted temporary licenses to register the duo last summer, only to have their registrations revoked in January due to non-compliance with the league’s financial rules.
The Catalan giants had announced a deal to sell VIP boxes at the Nou Camp stadium, aiming to raise €100m. However, La Liga claims that this deal was not recorded in the accounts submitted by Barcelona for the 2024-25 season. Moreover, the deal was approved by a different auditor, raising eyebrows.
La Liga’s statement highlighted that “no amount from the [VIP box deal] is ultimately recorded in the profit and loss accounts, contrary to what had been certified by the club and the auditor at the time of said transaction.” The league also announced that they are reporting the auditor to the Accounting and Auditing Institute.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta responded, calling the league’s letter “an attempt to damage the club’s image and go against FC Barcelona’s interests.” He assured that the club’s legal team would respond “as forcefully as necessary” and questioned the timing of the letter, given their upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
Laporta maintained that Olmo and Pau Victor’s registrations were carried out correctly, following all requirements demanded by the Spanish Football Federation and La Liga.
The club’s financial struggles may worsen unless they resolve this dispute, with a definitive ruling on the pair’s registrations expected by April 7.
A Spanish appeals court has overturned the four-and-a-half-year prison sentence of former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves, acquitting him of sexual assault.
The 41-year-old had been convicted in February 2024 for an alleged incident at a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022. However, he was granted bail in March 2024 as legal proceedings continued.
The High Court of Justice of Catalonia ruled in favor of Alves’ appeal, with a panel of four judges citing “inaccuracies” in the original conviction.
The appeals panel consisted of judges Maria Angels Vivas, Roser Bach, Maria Jesus Manzano and Manuel Alvarez, who reasoned the initial ruling contained “a series of gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies and contradictions regarding the facts, the legal assessment and its consequences”.
The court rejected two separate appeals from the prosecution, one from the public prosecutor’s office, which sought to partially annul the verdict and extend Alves’ sentence to nine years, and another from a private prosecution pushing for a 12-year sentence.
Alves was granted bail in March after his legal team posted a €1 million ($1.08 million) bond. His release was conditional, requiring him to remain in Spain and surrender both his Spanish and Brazilian passports to authorities while awaiting the appeal’s resolution.
Prior to securing bail, the former Barcelona defender had spent 14 months in Brians 2 prison in Catalonia. He was initially arrested by local police in January 2023 in connection with an alleged sexual assault at Barcelona’s Sutton nightclub.
The Spanish public prosecutor’s office accused Alves of assaulting a 23-year-old woman at the venue, though he consistently denied the allegations.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has expressed his frustration about playing against Osasuna on Thursday right after the international break. However, he chose not to dwell too much on the issue.
The match was originally scheduled for earlier in March but was postponed following the passing of Barça’s first-team doctor, Carles Miñarro, just hours before kickoff.
Now, Barcelona faces a tough stretch of seven matches in just 20 days. To make matters worse, they will be without Raphinha and Ronald Araújo, who are unavailable due to their participation in World Cup qualifiers in South America.
“I don’t want to speak about my reaction, I think it’s not good,” Flick said in a news conference when asked for his thoughts on the match being rearranged for this week.
“Players have played for their national teams, but we have to play this match. We can speak about if it’s the right time to play this tomorrow …
“We can also speak about playing Leganés away at 9 p.m. [on April 12 before the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against Borussia Dortmund]. When we play away, it’s always at 9 p.m., so we arrive back late in the night.
“It’s to do with recovery for the players. I am not happy with this. When you see other leagues with Champions League teams, it’s different to here.
“When you play Champions League, it’s not about Real Madrid against Barça, it’s about protecting your Spanish teams. But we play, no excuses
“We accept this. It’s a task for UEFA, for FIFA that they say after international breaks it’s necessary that players have three days rest. LaLiga say we have to play and we say ‘Yes, we do it.’”
Flick explained that he canceled two rest days for players who represented Spain, the Netherlands, France, and Poland during the international break to ensure proper preparation for the Osasuna match.
However, the game comes too soon for Raphinha and Araújo, as they are only returning to Europe on Wednesday. Additionally, Pau Cubarsí will not be fit to start after injuring his ankle while playing for Spain.
“Rapha and Ronald will not play,” Flick confirmed. “They are out. They have a long flight. It’s not the best way. They have to recover, train.
“And at centre-back, Eric [García] and Iñigo [Martínez] will start for us. Pau will be on the bench. I hope we won’t need him because also it’s better he has two or three days more. He needs it.”
Lamine Yamal has responded to Rafael van der Vaart’s “pants down” remark after playing a key role in Spain’s UEFA Nations League quarterfinal win over the Netherlands on Sunday.
The 17-year-old winger scored Spain’s third goal in an exciting 3-3 draw at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium. Spain eventually secured victory on penalties, earning a place in the semifinals against France in June.
Although Yamal missed his spot-kick in the shootout, he later took to social media to reply to Van der Vaart. The former Dutch international had earlier criticized Yamal’s attitude and the way he wore his shorts low before the match.
“Shorts down, a goal, a missed penalty and INTO THE SEMIFINAL, COME ON SPAIN!” the Barcelona winger wrote on Instagram. Yamal’s post included a series of photos, one featuring Van der Vaart’s face alongside an image of him walking off the pitch after the win with his shorts pulled lower than normal.
“I see things that are starting to bother me a little,” Van der Vaart said about Yamal after the first leg, a 2-2 in Rotterdam last Thursday.
“Pants a little lower, not making much of an effort, slightly superficial gestures.
“That’s when I think: if you’re that young, you should be happy with every minute you play for Spain. No matter how good you are, at that age, you have to prove it every minute and in every game.”
Despite his age, Yamal has never shied away from responding to criticism from senior or retired players. He told Adrien Rabiot to “speak now” and “checkmate” after knocking France out of the European Championship last summer following comments made by the midfielder pre-match.
Yamal had a tense moment during the penalty shootout against the Netherlands when Bart Verbruggen saved his attempt.
Fortunately for Spain, Unai Simón blocked Donyell Malen’s penalty, and Pedri sealed the victory by scoring the decisive spot kick, sending Spain into the semifinals.
“I said to him ‘What a s–t penalty,” Barça midfielder Pedri joked of his message to Yamal after his miss.
“But no, you learn from these situations. He is not affected by pressure and you have to take a penalty to miss one.
“His calmness has always surprised us. It’s as if pressure doesn’t exist for him when you see the ease with which he dribbles and how he plays. He’s someone we have to take care of and, above all, enjoy.”
Barcelona has officially announced that the team will complete the season at the Olympic Stadium, as ongoing renovations at Spotify Camp Nou have been delayed.
The club had initially planned to return to their home ground sooner, but construction work on the stadium’s second tier has taken longer than expected. Due to these setbacks, all remaining LaLiga and Champions League home matches will be played at the Olympic Stadium.
Barcelona informed its members of this decision through an email on Thursday. Club president Joan Laporta had previously stated that the team aimed to return to Camp Nou by March, just in time for the Champions League knockout stages. However, UEFA rules prevent teams from changing venues once a knockout round has begun, meaning Barcelona must now finish their European campaign at the Olympic Stadium.
Following Thursday’s announcement, all of Barcelona’s remaining first-team home matches will be played at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc.
Barcelona moved out of Camp Nou in 2023 to allow for major renovations, which will expand the stadium’s capacity to about 105,000—the largest in Europe.
In January, the club extended its lease at the Olympic Stadium until the end of May, ensuring that their highly anticipated match against Real Madrid, scheduled for that month, can take place there.
The team faces a demanding schedule, with four matches in just nine days when club football resumes next week. They will play Osasuna at home on Thursday, followed by a home match against Girona on Sunday. On Wednesday, they travel to Atlético Madrid for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal before returning home to face Real Betis on Saturday.
Barcelona will then host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, travel to Leganés for a LaLiga fixture, and head to Germany for the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.
Barcelona forward Raphinha said the team was even more determined to perform well in their Champions League match against Benfica following the passing of club doctor Carles Miñarro.
Raphinha, who has now scored 27 goals in all competitions this season, netted twice as Barcelona secured a 3-1 win at the Olympic Stadium, sealing a 4-1 aggregate victory to reach the quarterfinals.
The match took place just three days after Miñarro’s sudden passing, which led to the postponement of Barcelona’s LaLiga game against Osasuna on Saturday. The 53-year-old’s cause of death has not yet been officially disclosed.
“We came into this game even more determined to win after the passing of Carles,” Raphinha told reporters after the game.
Barça coach Hansi Flick also dedicated the success to Miñarro.
“I said before the match we wanted to honor the memory of Carles,” Flick said in the post game news conference. “After what happened, I think it’s good to win for him. Carles is always with us. It’s like that. He has always a place in our team.”
To honor Carles Miñarro’s passing, the Spanish, Catalan, and Barcelona flags were flown at half-mast at the stadium, and a minute of silence was held before the match began.
Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals for the second year in a row with a dominant first-half performance, scoring three goals and extending their unbeaten streak to 17 games in all competitions.
Raphinha put Barça ahead early, thanks to an assist from Lamine Yamal, but Benfica quickly responded as Nicolás Otamendi equalized from a corner kick.
Yamal restored Barça’s lead with a stunning individual effort, before Raphinha added the third on the stroke of halftime. “I am really happy with that,” Flick said of his team’s display and their control in the second half. “Benfica are a really good team. I knew they make good transitions, but we control the ball, we control the game, we were dominant.
“This was good to see. I think we could score more goals, but we are happy that we are in the quarterfinal.”
At 17 years and 241 days old, Lamine Yamal became the second-youngest player to score in a Champions League knockout match, with former Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic still holding the record as the youngest.
Yamal’s stunning curling shot from the edge of the box marked his 12th goal of the season across all competitions. However, it was his first time scoring in seven games.
“Great,” Flick added of Yamal ending his mini-drought. “I think everyone was looking for this goal and it’s good for him, it gives him self-confidence.
“It was at the right time this goal happens. I am happy for him that he scored again.”
However, despite Yamal’s goal and assist and Raphinha moving on to a tournament high 11 goals in the Champions League this season, midfielder Pedri claimed UEFA’s MVP trophy.
“He’s 100% fit and it’s good to see what he’s doing with the ball, but also without the ball is unbelievable,” Flick said of Pedri. “He’s in the right position at the moment and, for me, in this position, he’s the best in the world.”
Barcelona will face either Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the Champions League quarterfinals. They are also leading LaLiga with a game in hand and have secured a spot in the Copa del Rey semifinals.
Raphinha believes the team has the potential to accomplish great things this season.
“We are candidates to win every competition,” he said. “We knew that Benfica would come here strong, but we knew what we had to do to win the game and focused on that.
“We had the result in our favor from the first leg and did really well tonight, it was an especially good first half.”
Former Barcelona and Sevilla defenderDani Alves is reportedly being sued by his former club, Pumas, for up to €6 million over an alleged breach of their contract’s “code of conduct.”
The ex-Brazil international is currently awaiting the outcome of an appeal against his rape conviction, handed down in February 2024. Alves spent 13 months in prison following the ruling but has been out on bail for nearly a year.
Dani Alves
To secure his release, the 41-year-old paid €1 million in bail and surrendered his passport. He has consistently maintained his innocence and voluntarily turned himself in after learning that his alleged victim had filed an official complaint.
Alves’ incarceration effectively ended his professional football career. He had joined Mexican side Pumas in the summer of 2023 after a brief return to Barcelona, signing a two-year contract. However, the deal was terminated after just five months in the wake of his legal troubles.
Barcelona has officially announced that the team will complete the season at the Olympic Stadium, as ongoing renovations at Spotify Camp Nou have been delayed.
The club had initially planned to return to their home ground sooner, but construction work on the stadium’s second tier has taken longer than expected. Due to these setbacks, all remaining LaLiga and Champions League home matches will be played at the Olympic Stadium.
Barcelona informed its members of this decision through an email on Thursday. Club president Joan Laporta had previously stated that the team aimed to return to Camp Nou by March, just in time for the Champions League knockout stages.
However, UEFA rules prevent teams from changing venues once a knockout round has begun, meaning Barcelona must now finish their European campaign at the Olympic Stadium.
Following Thursday’s announcement, all of Barcelona’s remaining first-team home matches will be played at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc.
Barcelona moved out of Camp Nou in 2023 to allow for major renovations, which will expand the stadium’s capacity to about 105,000—the largest in Europe.
In January, the club extended its lease at the Olympic Stadium until the end of May, ensuring that their highly anticipated match against Real Madrid, scheduled for that month, can take place there.
The team faces a demanding schedule, with four matches in just nine days when club football resumes next week. They will play Osasuna at home on Thursday, followed by a home match against Girona on Sunday. On Wednesday, they travel to Atlético Madrid for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal before returning home to face Real Betis on Saturday.
Barcelona will then host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, travel to Leganés for a LaLiga fixture, and head to Germany for the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.
Barcelonamanaged to scrape through a tense game against Rayo Vallecano and climb back to the top of La Liga, a position they hadn’t held since December.
Robert Lewandowski scored a first-half penalty, which turned out to be the game-winning goal. This win pushed Barcelona above their rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, both of whom had 1-1 draws on Saturday.
Lewandowski’s penalty, his 20th goal of the season, came after a controversial decision by the video assistant referee (VAR). The referee awarded a penalty when Rayo’s Pathe Ciss was accused of pulling down Inigo Martinez, although Martinez was nowhere near the ball.
Rayo Vallecano was furious when they didn’t get a penalty for a similar incident involving Ciss. The tension heightened when Rayo thought they had scored an equalizer, but the goal was disallowed because Randy Nteka, in an offside position, was considered to have obstructed Martinez.
Barcelona missed several opportunities to extend their lead in the second half and were lucky not to concede when Jorge de Frutos missed a chance for Rayo Vallecano late in the game.
With this victory, Barcelona now leads the table with 51 points, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference and one point clear of Atletico Madrid, with 14 games remaining in the season.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick,has urged his players to show respect to referees and avoid arguing with them. His comments come after Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham was sent off for confronting the referee during their 1-1 draw against Osasuna.
The referee, Jose Luis Munuera Montero, said that Bellingham said “f* you,” which led to his immediate dismissal. However, Bellingham insisted that he actually said “f* off” and that it was directed at himself out of frustration, not the referee.
After the match, Bellingham insisted he did not insult the referee and called the situation a misunderstanding. The following day, he apologized on social media for putting his team in a difficult situation.
He wrote: “Enough said about the misunderstanding, just wanted to apologize again for leaving my teammates in such a tough position and thank the fans for their support and understanding. See you at home on Wednesday.”
Speaking ahead of Barcelona’s home game against Rayo Vallecano on Monday, Flick emphasized that he had reminded his players to stay calm and avoid conflicts with match officials.
“It’s disrespect. For me, it’s like that. But I don’t have to decide (the punishments),” he told a press conference on Sunday.
“I don’t like this behaviour and I said this today to my players because it’s very important. It is not good for the team when you do this and get the red card. It’s a weakness and we don’t like that.
“We have one person on the pitch who is allowed to discuss with the referee and that is the captain. We have to accept that.”
Third-placed Barca can return to the top ofLaLiga with a win over Rayo later on Monday.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has made it clear that teenage prodigyLamine Yamalis not for sale, emphasizing that no price tag could be placed on the young star.
At just 17 years old, Yamal has emerged as one of the most promising talents in world football.
His exceptional performances have already earned him prestigious accolades, including the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy award, recognizing him as Europe’s best player under 21.
“There are key players, and he is [one],” Deco said of Yamal to TV3.
“There is no discussion, there is no price. There have been no offers because we didn’t even want to talk about it.”
Barça president Joan Laporta claimed in October that the club had rejected an offer worth €250 million ($270m) for Yamal after the player helped Spain win Euro 2024.
Since making his first-team debut as a 15-year-old in 2023, Yamal has become a regular for club and country.
“He will surely be at Barça for many years, like Pedri and Gavi … They will [all] remain here,” Deco said. “The club must do its homework, and he [Yamal] will be here for many years.”
Barça midfield pair Gavi, 20, and Pedri, 22, recently extended their contracts until 2030. Yamal’s deal expires in June 2026, the maximum allowed by law for minors.
The Spanish winger, however, revealed earlier this year that he will soon sign a new contract with Barça, “the club of my life.”
Yamal is expected to put pen to paper on a contract until 2030 when he turns 18 on July 13.
His talent has drawn praise from five-timeBallon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo,who believes Yamal will become “the best player of this new generation.”
Deco, who played with Ronaldo for Portugal and alongside Lionel Messi at Barça, agrees Yamal is special.
“Yamal is one of the special ones,” Deco said. “Not only does he have talent. He also has a different mental capacity.”
Yamal has scored 11 goals and set up 14 more in 31 games for Barça this season.
Barcelona president Joan Laportahas strongly criticized the decision not to give a penalty for Jules Koundé in their 1-1 draw against Getafe on Saturday.
In the 81st minute, Koundé was brought down by Christantus Uche while trying to reach a cross at the far post. However, the referee and VAR did not consider it a foul.
Despite Barcelona’s efforts to score a winning goal, they were unable to break through Getafe’s defense. The result extended their winless streak in LaLiga to four games, putting them seven points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
Laporta also mentioned a similar incident in Real Madrid’s win over Getafe in December, where a penalty was awarded for a challenge by Allan Nyom on Antonio Rüdiger. He questioned why Barcelona didn’t get the same decision.
“The refereeing in the game against Getafe was an absolute disgrace,” Laporta told reporters on Monday when asked about the Koundé incident.
“Not giving a penalty for the foul on Koundé is a scandal. A scandal. I think you should watch it back again and again because it’s scandalous.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFwswAe54UM
While Barça have struggled in LaLiga, their cup performances have been much better. They recently won the Spanish Supercopa with a convincing 5-2 victory over Madrid and have advanced to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
Next, they focus on the Champions League with an upcoming away match against Benfica on Tuesday. A win would help them avoid the knockout round and move directly to the round of 16.
Off the pitch, the club is working to secure long-term contracts for their young talents. After renewing Ronald Araújo’s deal last week, sources say midfielders Pedri and Gavi are also close to signing new contracts, as their current ones expire in 2026.
A source revealed that Pedri’s contract extension is expected to be announced by February at the latest, depending on when the club decides to finalize the deal.
The Spanish midfielder is having a great season after overcoming his recent injury struggles.
Meanwhile, defender Eric García might still leaveBarcelona this month. Girona’s sporting director, Quique Cárcel, has confirmed the club’s interest in bringing him back after his loan spell with them last season.
“We wanted to sign him in the summer and our intention is to try and bring him in again,” Cárcel told DAZN. “But it depends on Barça’s conditions being realistic for us in terms of what we can do.”
Barcelona midfielder Gavi has hailed Lamine Yamal as the best player in the world after Lionel Messi, following the teenager’s outstanding performance in the 5-1 Copa del Rey victory against Real Betis on Wednesday.
Yamal was unstoppable, scoring one goal, assisting two others, and having another ruled out for offside. His efforts helped Barcelona secure a spot in Monday’s quarterfinal draw.
At just 17 years old, Yamal has already scored nine goals and provided 13 assists in 24 matches this season, cementing his status as one of football’s brightest talents.
“Yes, he is,” Gavi told reporters when asked if Yamal is already the best player in the game. “Well, after Lionel Messi, he’s the best.”
Yamal, who helped Spain win the European Championship last summer, had an impressive season last year, finishing eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
He also won the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy award, both recognizing the best young player in the world.
The young star has cemented his place in Barcelona’s first team, making over 70 appearances so far. On Wednesday night, he was a constant threat to Betis.
After Gavi scored the opening goal, Yamal delivered a stunning lobbed pass to set up Jules Koundé for Barcelona’s second goal. Yamal created another chance for Koundé, but the goal was disallowed following a lengthy VAR review for offside.
Later in the match, Yamal thought he had scored Barcelona’s third, but VAR ruled it out for offside once again. However, he showcased his brilliance with a solo run from his own box, leading to Raphinha’s goal.
Substitute Ferran Torres added a fourth goal before Yamal finally found the net, finishing confidently after receiving a pass from Fermín López. Vitor Roque, on loan from Barcelona to Betis, scored a late penalty forBetis as a consolation.
“You know, Gavi’s very emotional, so I say yes as well,” Barça coach Hansi Flick said in a news conference when asked if he agreed with Gavi’s take on Yamal. “You can see it. I think in great matches you see big talent and he’s showed it many times. He’s on a really good way. But we have to take care about him.”
Ghanaian youngster David Oduro delivered an impressive performance in his debut game for Barcelona’s youth team against Real Sociedad B on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
The talented left-back, who joined Barcelona in August, had been sidelined due to documentation issues, finally making his debut last night.
Coming on for Alexis Olmedo at halftime, Oduro immediately showcased his potential with dynamic runs down the left wing. His maturity and skill on the ball were evident, as he contributed significantly to Barcelona Atletic’s play, both offensively and defensively.
Oduro demonstrated his versatility by threading intricate passes to create scoring opportunities and making well-timed interventions to protect his team from conceding goals.
His strong debut performance has already won over Barcelona fans, who are calling for him to serve as backup for Alejandro Balde, the club’s first-choice left-back.
Despite the delayed debut, Oduro has trained with the first team on several occasions, giving him valuable exposure at the top level.
Oduro, who signed a three-year contract with Barcelona from Ghanaian club Accra Lions, is now expected to start for Barcelona Atletic in their upcoming match against Lugo this weekend, following his standout debut.
Barcelona delivered a dominant performance at the Santiago Bernabeu, thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga by six points.
Robert Lewandowski scored twice, with additional goals from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, ensuring a night to forget for the hosts in the Spanish capital.
Kylian Mbappe, making his El Clasico debut, had a frustrating evening as two of his goals were disallowed for offside. Despite creating chances, Real Madrid failed to capitalize, with both Jude Bellingham and Mbappe missing key opportunities to change the game.
Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 54th minute, finishing off a brilliant pass from Marc Casado, and netted a second just three minutes later with a powerful header.
His involvement continued as Yamal converted his first El Clasico goal in the 77th minute, firing a shot past Andriy Lunin. Raphinha capped off the night in the 84th minute, chipping the ball over Lunin to seal the victory.
Mbappe struggled against Barcelona’s well-organized defense and was repeatedly caught offside, unable to find a breakthrough against goalkeeper Inaki Pena. For Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, it was a night to remember, as his team claimed a comprehensive victory in his first El Clasico, securing a six-point cushion over second-placed Madrid after 11 rounds of the season.
Ghanaian footballer David Oduro has recently shared his experiences of training with both the youth and senior squads of the renowned Spanish club, FC Barcelona.
After joining the team from Accra Lions in the Ghana Premier League during the summer transfer window, Oduro initially expected to train solely with the youth side.
However, he had the opportunity to work with the first team, and he has been documenting his journey on TikTok alongside fellow Ghanaian footballers.
Oduro remarked that training with Barcelona’s first team presents a greater challenge compared to the B team. He explained that the atmosphere with Barcelona B is intense, as many players strive to make a strong impression.
“Training with the first team is good because there is no pressure. The youth can press you, and I go in hard on them. What I meant is that training with the first team and second team are different,” he said.
Oduro also opened up about meeting some of Barcelona’s big stars, including the hugely talented Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde.
He describes the feeling of meeting and training alongside players he watched on television as surreal and unbelievable.
“Yamal has a beautiful skin colour. I was like, These are the guys I have been watching on TV and now playing with them,” he said.
Flick is optimistic about the possibility of midfielder Frenkie de Jong making areturn as Barcelona aims to recover from two defeats in just 10 days, including losses to Monaco in the Champions League and Osasuna in La Liga.
The German coach has been dealing with an injury crisis, with key players such as Dani Olmo, Ronald Araujo, Gavi, and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen unavailable.
In Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Osasuna, he opted to rest regular starters Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, prioritising the upcoming Champions League match.
De Jong, who has been sidelined since April with an ankle injury, also missed the European Championship while focussing on his recovery.
“We will play with the team we believe to be the best in order to beat Young Boys. The first game (at Monaco) we lost, yes. But we must not be depressed,” Flick told reporters.
“We have to recover our balance after the defeat at Osasuna. We have to build the game with fewer mistakes. Responsibilities must be assumed.
“We need fresh legs, and Frenkie’s return is great news. Even if it’s just for five or 10 minutes. If he gets the chance, he’ll play.”
Flick previously said his choice to rest key starters affected the team in their first domestic loss of the season at Osasuna, ending a seven-game winning streak.
Young Boys will arrive in Spain following a 3-0 defeat by Aston Villain their opening Champions League match at home.
Asked if the five-times European Cup winners have lost respect after their defeat at Monaco, Flick said: “I am positive we can win… we play good football – entertaining football. And if we need to gain the respect of our opponents once again, we’re going to work hard on that.”
Barcelona have been prohibited from selling tickets for their Champions League away match against Red Star Belgrade in November due to racist actions by some of their fans.
UEFA imposed a fine of 10,000 euros (£8,330) on the Spanish club following the racist behaviour observed during their 2-1 loss to Monaco on 19 September.
The specific details of the behaviour were not disclosed.
This is not the first instance of such punishment for Barcelona.
The club previously faced a ban on selling away tickets for a UEFA competition after a Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain last season, although that penalty was suspended for a year.
Three Barcelona fans were arrested after the PSG match for using racist slurs and allegedly making Nazi salutes.
As a result of the current ban, Barcelona will be without their travelling supporters when they face Red Star Belgrade on 6 November.
Despite this controversy,Barcelonaremains in strong form, with Hansi Flick’s side winning all seven of their La Liga games so far, putting them at the top of the league.
Ghanaian footballer Abdul Aziz Issah recently had the opportunity to meet his idol,Lamine Yamal,after training with Barcelona’s first team for the first time.
Issah, who is currently on a season-long loan with Barca Atletic from Dreams FC, trained alongside fellow Ghanaian David Oduro.
Prior to being invited by Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, Issah had expressed admiration for Yamal’s style of play, which he has tried to emulate.
The 2024 CAF Confederation Cup standout hopes to make a lasting impression at Barcelona and secure a permanent move.
Issah had the chance to meet and train with his idol, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, at Barcelona’s training facility.
The promising forward, a key player for Ghana’s U20 African Games-winning squad, is currently on loan to Barcelona’s reserve side, Barca Atletic, and aims to secure a permanent move.
Though he has yet to make his Barcelona B debut,his performance during first-team training has increased his chances of earning opportunities in the senior team as the season progresses.
Arsenal’s late attempt to sign England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona, in what would have been a world-record deal, has been rejected by the European champions.
The 27-year-old, who has one year left on her contract, remains a pivotal part of Barcelona’s squad despite indicating she does not intend to renew her contract next summer.
According to reports from Spanish media, Arsenal‘s bid was valued at £930,000, a figure that would have surpassed the current world record for a women’s transfer.
However, Barcelona were not prepared to let go of the England international, leaving Arsenal without their target as the Women’s Super League (WSL) transfer window closed at 23:00 BST on Friday.
Barcelona, who still had until Monday to secure a replacement if they had accepted the bid, made it clear that Walsh remains integral to their plans for the season.
Barca head coach Pere Romeu underscored Walsh’s importance, saying, “There’s no case for Keira leaving. She’s been with us throughout pre-season and is a key player for us. She totally gets our style of play, is super professional, and has shown an amazing attitude and commitment from day one. So, we’re definitely counting on her this season.”
Walsh, who joined Barcelona from Manchester City in 2022 for a then-world record fee of £400,000, has been instrumental in the club’s recent success, helping them secure back-to-back league and European titles. She has already played a crucial role this season, providing an assist in Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Real Sociedad on Friday.
Despite Walsh’s decision not to renew her contract, Barcelona appear confident in keeping her for the remainder of the season. Without a contract extension, Walsh would likely leave on a free transfer next summer unless the club can convince her otherwise.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Walsh was part of their bid to strengthen their squad, and if successful, it would have marked the most expensive transfer in women’s football. The current record for a women’s player is held by Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji, who transferred to Bay FC from Madrid CFF for £685,000 in February.
As the transfer window closes, Walsh’s immediate future lies with Barcelona, where she will continue to contribute to their ambitious campaign for more domestic and European silverware.
Barcelona’s Sporting Director, Deco, has shed light on why the club chose not to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams during the recent transfer window, despite the young star being one of the most coveted attackers.
Williams, who boasts Ghanaian roots, attracted interest from top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, following a standout season.
The winger featured in 31 La Liga matches, netting 5 goals and providing 11 assists, while also playing a pivotal role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory.
Despite his rising profile, Deco revealed that Barcelona decided against pursuing Williams, citing the club’s already strong lineup of attacking players as the primary reason.
“We didn’t sign Nico Williams as we have Raphinha, Ferran, Ansu, Lamine, plus Fermin and Olmo to help there,” he said.
Sporting Director Deco further highlighted that Dani Olmo’s versatility lessened the need for Barcelona to sign another winger. “Dani Olmo offers us more flexibility, making it unnecessary to bring in another wide player,” he explained.
Although Williams was on Barcelona’s radar, the talented winger ultimately stayed with Athletic Bilbao, where he is under contract until 2027.
His release clause, reportedly around €63 million (£53 million), may have also influenced Barcelona’s decision to hold back from making a move for the 22-year-old.
Barcelona midfielderMarc Bernal has secured a contract extension with the club, despite being sidelined for the season due to an ACL tear.
The 17-year-old will sign a deal that runs until 2026, with the option to extend for another three years when he turns 18.
This new contract includes a significant pay raise and an increase in his release clause, which had been set at €20 million.
The club moved quickly to protect Bernal from interest by other teams, especially after losing striker Marc Guiu to Chelsea earlier in the year.
Bernal had been a key player in Barcelona’s opening three matches before suffering the ACL injury in a victory over Rayo Vallecano. He is set to undergo surgery this week.
Despite his injury, Barcelona is showing their commitment to him, speeding up contract negotiations during this challenging period.
joined the club’s academy in 2014, Bernal rose through the ranks alongside teammates Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí,making his first-team debut against Valencia in August.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has assured that the club will be able to sign players “normally” during the January transfer window, despite the challenges they faced over the summer with player registrations.
Barça secured Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig for €55 million, but he was unable to participate in the first two games of the season because he had not been registered with LaLiga. The delay was due to the club exceeding their league-imposed spending limit.
Olmo’s registration was eventually completed after Ilkay Gündogan returned to Manchester City and defender Andreas Christensen was sidelined long-term with an Achilles injury, freeing up the necessary salary space.
Laporta remains confident that Barcelona will be on stable financial ground by January, allowing for a smoother transfer process.
“Yes [we will be able to sign players normally in January], because we plan to arrive at LaLiga’s 1:1 rule before then,” Laporta said in a news conference on Tuesday. “When you say sign, we can sign players, the problem is the registration with the league. It will be easier once we reach the 1:1 rule.
“For now, though, we’re not thinking of any players [for January] because we are happy with the squad we have. But [sporting director] Deco and his team are working hard to analyse what’s needed medium- and long-term.
“We are satisfied with what we have.Dani Olmo was the priority and we have signed him. I said we could make a big signing, and that has proven true.”
Black Satellites standout Abdul Aziz Issah has finalised a deadline-day transfer from Ghanaian club Dreams FC to Barcelona.
Although an official confirmation from Barcelona is still awaited, reports suggest that Aziz will join Barcelona B.
Dreams FC shared the news on X, confirming that the 18-year-old has successfully secured a move to the Catalan giants.
“Dreams FC announces the transfer of Abdul Aziz Issah to Spanish giants FC Barcelona. The 18-year-old finalised his move on transfer deadline day,” the club wrote.
Abdul Aziz emerged as the standout talent in the 2023/2024 Ghana Premier League season, making an impressive debut at just 17 years old.
The young forward played a crucial role in Dreams FC’s remarkable journey to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Aziz showcased his skills by netting four goals and providing two assists in 10 appearances, making him one of the competition’s leading scorers.
He is now the second player to secure a transfer to Barcelona during the recently concluded transfer window, following in the footsteps of David Oduro.
Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal (17) is set to miss the majority of the season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the LaLiga club announced on Wednesday. ‘
The injury occurred during Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, forcing Bernal to leave the pitch in the final minutes.
Bernal, who made his debut in Barcelona’s opening-day victory against Valencia, also sustained damage to the external meniscus in his left knee.
“He will undergo surgical treatment in the coming days,” Barcelona said in a statement.
Manchester City is exploring the possibility of re-signing Ilkay Gundogan, who left the club for Barcelona in 2023 after a successful stint where he led the team to a historic Treble.
Gundogan’s potential return comes amid financial difficulties at Barcelona, which have impacted their ability to register new players, including Dani Olmo.
Barcelona’s ongoing financial troubles are a result of the club’s strict economic regulations, which cap spending on player wages and other expenses based on the club’s earnings and outstanding financial obligations.
These rules, implemented by La Liga to ensure financial stability, are affecting Barcelona’s ability to finalize transfers and register new signings.
City’s interest in Gundogan is partly driven by their current squad issues.
The team is dealing with the high-profile departure of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid and an injury to Norwegian winger Oscar Bobb, who may be sidelined for up to four months.
Gundogan’s experience and familiarity with the club could provide an immediate solution without the need for an adjustment period.
Gundogan, who previously joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for £20 million in 2016, has enjoyed a highly successful tenure at the club, making 304 appearances and scoring 60 goals.
During his seven years at the Etihad, he won numerous titles, including five Premier League trophies, one Champions League, and four Carabao Cups.
At Barcelona, Gundogan featured in 51 matches last season and scored five goals.
However, the financial constraints at Barcelona are forcing them to consider selling players to balance their squad cost limit, a measure aimed at maintaining fiscal discipline within the league
Son of Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, Joao Mendes, has departed Barcelona to sign a contract with Championship side Burnley.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Mendes traveled to England earlier this week to finalize the deal, which was swiftly completed with the assistance of his agents, Marcelo Sander and Marcelo Marchese.
Following the formalities, Mendes was photographed holding a Burnley shirt, flanked by his representatives.
Mendes’ stint at Barcelona was brief. He joined the Catalan club’s Under-19 team in 2023 after a successful trial, which was arranged by his father.
Prior to his time in Spain, Mendes spent four years developing his skills at Cruzeiro’s youth academy in Brazil.
Despite showing promise, Mendes did not make any appearances for Barcelona’s senior team, and his 12-month contract with the club expired in June 2024.
Despite his father’s efforts to help shape his career, Mendes and Barcelona could not agree on an extension.
Unlike his father, who was known for his brilliance as an attacking midfielder, Mendes plays as a left-footed winger, bringing his own unique style to the field.
Burnley supporters are eager to see how the young Brazilian will adapt to the demands of the Championship and what impact he might have in the upcoming season.
Burnley begantheir Championship campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory over Luton.
Their next match is against Cardiff City on Saturday at Turf Moor, where Mendes will hope to make a strong debut for his new club.
Lamine Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, was reportedly stabbed multiple times in a car park near Barcelona and was subsequently rushed to the hospital.
According to La Vanguardia, the 36-year-old Nasraoui was attacked on Wednesday evening in a car park in the town of Mataro, located along the coast from Barcelona.
The altercation, which started as a fight, escalated into a stabbing, leaving Nasraoui in serious condition.
He required immediate medical attention but is now believed to be in stable condition. Local sources confirmed that emergency services quickly responded to the scene, transporting Nasraoui to the nearby Can Ruti hospital.
Despite some reports suggesting he had been discharged, Mundo Deportivo claims that Nasraoui remains under observation at the medical facility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO71BjicOUc
The police in Mataro have initiated an investigation into the incident, with reports indicating that three arrests have already been made.
The stabbing is thought to have stemmed from an earlier confrontation, though the exact cause remains unclear.
Later that evening, Yamal posted a photo of himself with his father on social media, accompanied by heart emojis, but he later deleted the post.
Yamal has frequently spoken about the significant influence his father has had on his life and football career. Nasraoui’s support has been crucial in Yamal’s rise as one of Europe’s most promising young talents.
Following this incident, there are now concerns about whether Yamal will be able to play for Barcelona against Valencia at Mestalla in La Liga on Saturday.
Barcelona are exploring the possibility of signing French midfielder N’Golo Kanté this summer, according to Diario Sport.
Kanté, 33, transferred to Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad last summer on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea.
Despite his move to the Middle East, Kanté has expressed a desire to return to European football, attracting interest from several clubs, including Barcelona, West Ham, and Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has long admired Kanté, who was a standout performer for France at Euro 2024.
Barcelona have secured the signing of Spanish playmaker Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig for a reported fee of 60 million euros (£51 million).
The 26-year-old returns to his former club, where he spent his youth career before making a move to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia back in 2014.
Olmo has committed to a six-year contract with Barcelona, which includes a substantial release clause set at 500 million euros (£429 million).
After helping Spain clinch their fourth European Championship title at Euro 2024, where he was one of the tournament’s joint top-scorers with three goals, Barcelona praised his versatility and goal-scoring ability.
“Olmo is a player who shines wherever he is on the pitch, known for his individual flair and his excellent link-up play,” Barcelona stated. “He has an eye for goal, both from inside and outside the penalty area, as he demonstrated during Euro 2024.”
During his time at RB Leipzig, Olmo contributed to the club’s success by winning two German Cups after joining in 2020. Reflecting on his time in Germany, Olmo shared his sentiments on X: “A young club, a young player. We grew up together, won our first trophies, and made history. Thank you, RB Leipzig—you will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Barcelona have reached a preliminary agreement with RB Leipzig for the transfer of midfielder Dani Olmo, according to sources.
The transfer is subject to finalizing details and Olmo passing a medical exam on Thursday.
Currently in Barcelona with his agent, Olmo is expected to join his new Barça teammates for training on Friday.
Barcelona’s sporting director Deco met with Leipzig representatives on Tuesday morning to finalize the transfer, which is valued at approximately €60 million.
Although the deal isn’t fully concluded, sources suggest that Barcelona, who have not yet made any summer signings, are likely to accept Leipzig’s terms for Olmo.
Spain international Nico Williams,of Ghanaian heritage, is expected to remain with Athletic Bilbao despite significant interest from top clubs like Barcelona.
Barcelona has been actively pursuing Williams during the current transfer window, attracted by his impressive performances for both his club and national team.
However, it seems the talented winger will stay with Athletic Bilbao.
In addition to Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain has also shown interest in Williams. Nevertheless, reports from Spain indicate that he is not keen on joining PSG.
Despite the attention from major clubs, Williams has continued his preseason training with his Athletic Bilbao teammates, eagerly preparing for the upcoming season and aiming to make a notable impact.
“I’m back! I’m really looking forward to this season. Vamos, Athletic!” he told Athletic Club channels.
During the 2023/24 La Liga season, Nico Williams made 31 appearances, netting five goals and providing 11 assists.
He was a key contributor to Spain’s triumph in the 2024 Euro Championship, playing a significant role in their victory over England in the final last month.
Nico Williams’ future is in limbo as the talented winger ponders his next move following his recent Euro Cup victory with the Spanish national team.
The 22-year-old is currently enjoying a well-deserved break and weighing two main options: remaining with Athletic Club or transferring to Barcelona.
Barcelona has expressed strong interest in acquiring Williams, with Deco meeting his agent, Félix Tainta, in Zaragoza this Wednesday to negotiate a potential transfer.
The meeting, strategically held between Barcelona and Bilbao, focused on discussing and potentially finalizing the terms of Williams’ contract with the Blaugrana.
Despite this, Williams is under pressure from his family and close associates to stay at Athletic Club.
According to David Ibañez on the ElDesmarque Twitch channel, his entourage is advocating for him to remain, especially since Athletic Club will host the Europa League final at San Mamés next year.
Moreover, Barcelona’s financial difficulties, which might hinder their ability to register new players, add another layer of complexity to Williams’ decision.
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has taken steps to secure the signing of forward Nico Williams, meeting with his agent, Felix Tainta, in Zaragoza on Wednesday.
The Blaugrana aim to finalize the transfer ahead of rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.
Reports from Jijantes highlight that discussions between Deco and Tainta revolved around contract terms for the Athletic Club attacker, who has been on Barcelona’s radar for some time.
Earlier in the week, The Athletic noted that both Arsenal and Chelsea remain interested in the young Spanish winger, who played a pivotal role in Spain’s recent European Championship victory, their fourth title in history.
Barcelona supporters are optimistic that Williams, alongside Lamine Yamal, will bring their successful international partnership to club level in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Hansi Flick’s squad has already kicked off their pre-season preparations and is set to travel to the US for friendly matches against prominent clubs like Manchester City and Real Madrid later this month.
Williams has emerged as a standout performer at Euro 2024 alongside his Spain teammate Lamine Yamal, attracting interest from several clubs, with Barcelona leading the pack.
Despite repeatedly stating his commitment to the Athletic Club until summer 2027, Williams has faced numerous inquiries from the media regarding his plans.
In response to the persistent queries, Athletic Club’s president Jon Uriarte has issued a statement addressing the intense scrutiny surrounding Williams’ future.
The statement from Uriarte was released on Athletic’s social media. It read: “Nico, a footballer very committed to the Athletic Club, has been subjected to a bombardment of questions about his future in an excessive and uncontrolled way when he is concentrating on competing in the Eurocopa for the Spanish Football Federation, which he has not been able to protect.
“Respect between all the characters that make up football is a fundamental basis, or so we conceive it from the Athletic Club, which does not have the formula to submit to public pressure players with contracts in other clubs to try to incorporate them.
“Athletic aspires to the maximum, without limits. We are demonstrating that we have an attractive and winning project for our football players and trainers. The proof is that we have recently renewed two of our internationals, Simón (2029) and Vivian (2031).
Nico signed last year until 2027, and he also committed himself there during several seasons to coveted players like Sancet, Prados, Julen Agirrezabala, and Paredes, to give some examples.
“The Athletic Club is capable economically, socially and sportingly of maintaining in its structure footballers of the size of those named, including Nico Williams.”
Barcelona has identified a left-winger and a midfielder as their top targets for this summer transfer window. President Joan Laporta has already publicly acknowledged their interest in Nico Williams, signalling him as a likely addition for Hansi Flick’s inaugural season at the club.
Laporta emphasised that Barcelona has streamlined its financial framework to facilitate Williams’ potential signing this summer.
However, Williams’ immediate focus remains on preparing forSpain’s Euro 2024 final against Englandat the Olympastadion in Berlin on Sunday, July 14. The 21-year-old winger will only contemplate his club’s future after this crucial match.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has stated that the club has the funds to sign Spain and Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, who has impressed at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Williams, 21, renewed his contract with Athletic last year, which includes a release clause of approximately €58 million ($63m).
Despite currently exceeding their annual LaLiga spending limit and being unable to register new signings, Laporta remains optimistic that Barcelona will soon resolve their financial issues and be in a position to acquire players like Williams.
“Economically speaking, we could commit to the signing of Nico Williams,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio on Monday.
“Nico’s a player I like — I like him a lot. We are working with [new coach Hansi] Flick on possible signings. Now we have to leave [sporting director] Deco to close the operations we are working on.
“Shortly we will be able to announce some good news with regard to the financial [issues] and we will be back within LaLiga’s Fair Play limits. And that will allow further good news in terms of [signings].”
Barcelona is eyeing Nico Williams to bolster their attack, particularly after his standout performance at Euro 2024. Williams, 21, has seen his reputation soar as he played a pivotal role in Spain’s journey to the semifinals.
At the Euros, Williams set up the decisive goal against Italy, earning the MVP title for that match, and contributed a goal and an assist in Spain’s 4-1 victory over Georgia in the round of 16.
During his time in Germany, Williams, along with Barcelona stars Lamine Yamal and Pedri, has been frequently asked about the potential of joining Barça next season. Yamal and Pedri, both of whom have grown close to Williams while playing for Spain, have expressed their desire for him to join the Catalan club.
Williams, however, has maintained his focus on the Euros, stating his primary goal is to help Spain secure their fourth European Championship. The Athletic forward, who plays alongside his brother Iñaki Williams at the club, will next take the field for Spain on Tuesday in the semifinal against France in Munich.
Barcelona deleted a farewell statement forJoão Félix and João Cancelo, as they still hope to re-sign the Portuguese duo, a source has revealed
On Sunday, Barça initially thanked Marcos Alonso, Félix, and Cancelo for their time with the club as their respective deals concluded.
Alonso’s contract has expired, making him a free agent, while Félix and Cancelo’s loans from Atlético Madrid and Manchester City, respectively, ended on June 30.
However, the club later removed Félix and Cancelo’s names from the statement and social media posts.
A source explained that the deletions were because Barça intends to extend their stays, and the original statement suggested their departures were final.
Félix, who netted 10 goals in 44 appearances for Barça last season, returns to Atlético, while Cancelo, with 42 appearances, goes back to Manchester City.
Both players are currently with Portugal at Euro 2024.
Despite this,Barça remains in ongoing discussions with the duo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, while awaiting clarity on the club’s financial situation this summer.
Barcelona is amongthe prominent clubs showing interest in Athletic Club and Spain winger Nico Williams, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The 21-year-old has garnered admiration from various European clubs, but the Blaugrana are particularly keen on securing his transfer.
Barça has been notably impressed by Williams’ exceptional one-on-one skills, a trait that has stood out during Euro 2024.
Williams showcased his talent in group stage victories over Croatia and Italy before being rested for the win against Albania. He made a significant impact in La Roja’s 4-1 round-of-16 victory over Georgia, providing his first tournament goal contributions by assisting Rodri’s equalizer and scoring Spain’s third goal with a brilliant solo effort past Giorgi Gvelesiani.
Performances like these have further boosted Williams’ reputation, which has already grown this season with eight goals and 19 assists in 39 matches across all competitions at the club level.
While discussions about Williams’ future will likely continue throughout the summer, his current focus remains on excelling at the Euros as Spain prepares to face hosts Germany in the quarterfinals.
Promising talent fromAthletic Bilbao, Nico Williams, has discussed his deep bond with the club amidst swirling speculation linking him to Barcelona.
Speaking on Onda Cero’s Radio Estadio, Williams reflected on his upbringing surrounded by Athletic Bilbao’s icons and his current dedication to the upcoming Euro Cup.
He expressed appreciation for the support and mentorship from Athletic Bilbao players who have guided him since his youth.
Williams fondly recalled moments like visiting the locker room with his brother during his cadet and youth team years, where he met renowned players such as Iker Muniain.
“Athletic’s stars have seen me grow up and are very proud of me. My brother took me to the locker room when I was in the cadet and youth teams, and that’s where I met many players, like Iker Muniain,” he said.
Despite the rumors circulating about Barcelona’s interest in him, Williams maintained his focus on the Euro Cup.
“Barça’s interest?” Onda asked Nico again, who replied, “I’ve seen something, but I don’t know anything. I’m focused on the Euro Cup and nothing else… I’m very happy at Athletic.”
Guardiola, whose contract with City ends in June 2025, previously hinted in May that the upcoming season might be his last at the Etihad.
When asked on Monday about the potential of a return to Barça, where he guided the club to 14 honours during his four seasons in charge, Guardiola stated, “It’s a door that is closed.”
The 53-year-old made these remarks during a press conference at his annual golf tournament, the Legends Trophy, currently underway in Girona, Spain.
“The Barça bench is one of the most complicated because you have to manage many cases. In Manchester everything we do remains inside and at Barça, everything comes out,” he said.
The ex-Barça player guided City to a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title, following a remarkable season that also saw his team achieve a historic treble.
Meanwhile, Barça concluded the 2023–24 season without any silverware and opted for Hansi Flick as the successor to Xavi Hernández in May. Xavi’s tenure ended at the end of the season as the club sought a new direction.
Xavi assumed leadership of the Spanish team in November 2021 and frequently drew comparisons to Guardiola.
Guardiola said of those comparisons: “What is certain is that it’s not my fault. That’s for sure. I’ve been 11 or 12 years away from Barcelona. I’m not a suspect in that sense. Ask that to those who have made the comparisons, I haven’t. I wish Xavi the best in finding a new challenge.”
Regarding Xavi’s replacement, Guardiola expressed confidence in Barça’s choice. Flick, who had been without a job since September 2023 following his dismissal from the Germany national team, previously enjoyed significant success at Bayern Munich.
Flick secured the Champions League as part of a treble in 2020 before transitioning to the Germany national team role in the summer of 2021.
“When you arrive at a new club, you always need help. You have to try to get help from within and have total support. You have to go little by little. You can’t be a champion in September or October.
“Hansi is an extraordinary person who has a lot of desire. A lot. But he needs his time. What he did at Bayern was extraordinary; he won everything.”
Barça finished runners-up to Real Madrid in La Liga, with their rivals adding France star Kylian Mbappé to their already strong roster.
“With or without Mbappé, they are always strong,” Guardiola said.
“It’s the rival to beat in the Champions [League], without a doubt. Everyone knows that. For all of us that are behind them, it’s motivation to try to beat them.
Madrid has always been very strong and they are adding up front a player that has a lot of strength.”
The court ruled in Laporta’s favor, dismissing claims that he and his board made payments to Jose María Enriquez Negreira, former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), between 2008 and 2010.
However, former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell did not receive the same outcome.
His appeal was rejected by the court, leaving him implicated in the alleged payments alongside former presidents Maria Bartomeu, Oscar Grau, and Albert Soler.
Barcelona are yet to comment on the decision regarding Laporta but did release the following statement on the matter last week: “FCB is satisfied with today’s ruling by the Barcelona High Court insofar as it confirms the approach defended by the Club and rules out the hypothesis of the alleged crime of bribery.
We maintain our conviction that through the courts we will be able to definitively clarify the facts that are the subject of the complaint and prove the Club’s absolute innocence.”
Laporta can now focus on his presidential duties, striving to restore Barcelona’s competitiveness both domestically and in Europe.
