Josep Maria Bartomeu Explained

Josep Maria Bartomeu
Order:40th
Office:President of FC Barcelona
Term Start:23 January 2014
Term End:27 October 2020
Predecessor:Sandro Rosell
Successor:Carlos Tusquets (interim)
Joan Laporta
Birthname:Josep Maria Bartomeu Floreta
Birth Date:1963 2, df=y
Birth Place:Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Children:2
Alma Mater:ESADE
Profession:Entrepreneur

Josep Maria Bartomeu Floreta[1] (born 6 February 1963) is a Spanish entrepreneur and former president of FC Barcelona. He started his presidency in 2014, following the resignation of Sandro Rosell; he held the post until his resignation in 2020.[2] He was replaced by interim Barcelona president Carlos Tusquets,[3] and afterwards by election winner Joan Laporta.[4]

Career

Partner and CEO of the companies ADELTE and EFS, Bartomeu served on the board of Barcelona during Joan Laporta's presidency (as head of the basketball section) along with Sandro Rosell, who resigned due to differences with the then president. He then served as Rosell's vice-president of Barcelona from July 2010 to January 2014 after they won the election with 61.35% of the vote of the members of the club. Following the resignation of Sandro Rosell on 23 January 2014, due to the so-called "Neymar case", Bartomeu was, following the club's constitution, elected, as the fortieth President of Barcelona, to complete Rosell's term.

On 27 October 2020, Bartomeu announced his resignation, along with the entire Board of Directors.[5]

Tax fraud allegations

Bartomeu was investigated in a case of alleged tax fraud over the signing of forward Neymar, along with former president Sandro Rosell. He was set to stand trial after his appeal was rejected.[6] [7] After a further appeal, it was reported that Bartomeu would not stand trial over the allegations; Rosell and Barcelona were similarly cleared.[8] The thorough research at the Camp Nou offices on Monday morning, carried out by the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalonia police force), led to the arrest of Bartomeu, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of the club, Oscar Grau, former adviser to the presidency Jaume Masferrer, and head of legal counsel Roman Gomez Ponti.[9]

Controversy

In March 2021, he was investigated by Catalan police, due to an alleged defamation campaign against Barcelona, known as Barçagate. Bartomeu was accused of hiring I3 Ventures to improve the club's image on social media and was accused of launching a smear campaign against some of the club's star players.[10]

Trophies won by club during presidency

Football

Barcelona

Barcelona Femení

Futsal

Barcelona Futsal

Beach soccer

Barcelona Beach Soccer

Basketball

Barcelona Basketball

Handball

Barcelona Handbol

Roller hockey

Barcelona Roller Hockey

Ice hockey

Barcelona Ice Hockey

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Así es Josep Maria Bartomeu. 23 January 2014 .
  2. Web site: Bartomeu resigns as Barcelona president as entire board steps down Goal.com. 2020-10-27. www.goal.com.
  3. Web site: Barcelona's interim president admits selling Messi would have been helpful . the Guardian . 2020-12-03 . 2021-03-01.
  4. FCBarcelona. The final tally of the FC Barcelona presidential election with 100% of the vote counted. 1368699485145202694. 7 March 2021.
  5. Web site: Josep Maria Bartomeu announces the resignation of the Board of Directors . FC Barcelona . 27 October 2020 .
  6. News: Court agrees to Spain prosecutor's request to investigate Barcelona president. Associated Press. 3 February 2015. The Guardian. 8 August 2017. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  7. News: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu faces trial over Neymar deal. ESPNFC.com. 8 August 2017.
  8. Web site: Neymar: Bartomeu, Rosell, Barcelona won't face trial . Goal.com . 2016-03-11 . 2021-03-01.
  9. News: Josep Maria Bartomeu aresseted . footballexpress.in . 22 February 2021.
  10. Web site: What we know about police raid at FC Barcelona's stadium in relation to 'Barçagate' . USA Today . 1 March 2021 .