FC Barcelona’s president Sandro Rosell, who announced he would be resigning yesterday, cited his own family’s safety and the reputation of his ‘board of directors’ as the reasons behind his decision.
Rosell’s departure can be seen as timely after a Spanish national court judge, Pablo Ruz, accepted a lawsuit this week which accused Rosell of misappropriating funds from the £49m signing of Neymar from Santos last June. A Barcelona club member, Jordi Cases, had alleged that the amount paid was “more than the €57m fee” reported at the time. It is believed that other clubs going after the striker’s signature (quite possibly, Madrid) had also engaged lawyers to investigate the case.
Although the Neymar lawsuit has been seen as a trigger for his resignation, it was also Rosell’s desire to protect his family, who have been the recipient of threats and attacks. Around Christmas, he found a bullet on the front door of his home, along with signs of a possible break in.
” For some time my family and myself have suffered threats and attacks in silence. These threats and attacks have made me wonder if being president means having to jeopardise my family. In recent days an unfair and reckless accusation of misappropriation has resulted in a lawsuit against me in the Audiencia Nacional. From the beginning I have said that the signing of Neymar Junior has been correct and his signing has caused despair and envy in some of our adversaries.” – Rosell
In recent weeks, Rosell’s family and close friends have tried to convince him that it would be better for him to leave office, after his family continued receiving threats that compromised on their safety.
The current Barcelona board will continue to lead with vice-president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, who will assume the presidency of the Club through 2016.
