Josep Maria Bartomeu Has Been Arrested After Police Raid Barcelona Offices

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has been arrested following a police raid at the club's offices.

Catalan police searched Barcelona's offices amid a corruption investigation named 'Barcagate'.

It was reported that the La Liga giants had paid a social media company to post online hate of players and coaches to 'protect the reputation' of Bartomeu.

Image: PA

Image: PA

Current stars Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique as well as Pep Guardiola and Xavi were among those allegedly targeted by I3 Ventures in a three-year smear campaign.

Some of the damning posts shared on Facebook and Twitter included attacks on Messi's reluctance to sign a new contract at the Nou Camp.

Image: PA

Bartomeu denied the accusations last February with the 58-year-old arrested this morning, according to widespread Spanish reports.

Footage of 'The Mossos' entering the facilities at the Camp Nou emerged online following the news of the arrests.

Jaume Masferrer, Bartomeu's former right-hand man, has also been arrested.

Legal services director Oscar Grau and Roman Gomez Ponti were arrested, too.

Grau was the CEO during Bartomeu's presidency reign.

Eight club members launched an official police complaint, prompting today's police raid - an investigation that has been ongoing for several months.

Topics: Football News, Football, Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, Lionel Messi

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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