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Ex-Barcelona Legal Chief Points To Board Over €1.7m Neymar Fee

Barcelona's Neymar tax case returns to court as a former legal chief disputes responsibility for a €1.7 million fee paid to Bartomeu's lawyer.

Published: Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at 5:21 AM
Ex-Barcelona Legal Chief Points To Board Over €1.7m Neymar Fee
Key Things to Know
  • A court probe is examining a €1.7 million fee paid to Josep Maria Bartomeu's lawyer regarding Neymar's tax case.
  • Former legal chief Roman Gomez Ponti testified that responsibility for approving the payment rested with the board.
  • Prosecutors allege approximately €4 million was improperly diverted via commissions during Bartomeu's presidency.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Former Barcelona legal chief Roman Gomez Ponti testified in court that the club's board was responsible for approving a €1.7 million payment tied to the Neymar tax case. The testimony is part of an inquiry into allegations that roughly €4 million was diverted via commissions during Josep Maria Bartomeu's presidency.

Prosecutors argue the €1.7 million fee was paid to Bartomeu's personal lawyer, Jose Angel Gonzalez Franco, without proper board approval. Gomez Ponti defended the fee as proportionate to the settlement savings, while insurer AIG disclosed it refused requests approaching €1 million after paying an initial €200,000.

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