MADRID — The investigation ordered by Barcelona into its controversial funds for refereeing studies discovered no proof of corruption by the membership, president Joan Laporta stated Monday.

Laporta reiterated that the membership’s funds over a number of years to the corporate owned by the vice chairman of Spain’s refereeing committee had been just for technical studies and to not affect referees. He stated he believed there have been no ethics breaches and that Barcelona was the sufferer of a marketing campaign to harm its popularity.

“This is one of the most ferocious attacks in our history,” Laporta stated. “I ask FC Barcelona supporters to be as united as ever in defense of our crest, our essence, and our ownership model. No campaign to discredit us will prevent us from continuing to be an organization of reference in the world of sports that is beloved and admired by millions of Catalans and by many more millions of people around the world.”

It was the primary time Laporta spoke at a information convention to offer explanations after it grew to become public that the membership paid $8 million from 2001-18 to the corporate of then committee vice chairman José María Enríquez Negreira. Prosecutors have accused Barcelona of alleged corruption in sports, fraudulent administration, and falsification of mercantile documentation.

Barcelona opened the probe to look into the actions of all of the totally different presidential administrations that made funds over time, together with Laporta’s first on the membership. The investigation was performed by an exterior firm.

The membership stated the probe discovered that “no conducts of a criminal nature associated to sporting corruption have been identified, nor are there any grounds to investigate any form of criminal activity associated to bribery.” It added there was “official documentation on the invoices and payments” for the providers of “scouting and advice regarding referees, which are common practices in the professional sports sector.”

“Consulting on technical-refereeing issues does not constitute any type of illegal act,” Laporta stated. “Consulting, as is done by the big clubs, that was carried out transparently, with the corresponding invoices, at least in my first mandate as president.”

The probe discovered 629 technical refereeing studies and 43 CDs that the membership acquired over 18 years for what Laporta referred to as “market price.” More studies had been possible misplaced over time, he stated.

“I reiterate with all my resolve, I am convinced that FC Barcelona has not committed any crime of sports-related corruption. I hope that sooner rather than later, it is fully exonerated,” he stated. “Accusations must be proven. We live by the rule of law, which guarantees among its basic principles the presumption of innocence.”

He stated that if there have been any irregularities dedicated by Negreira, Barcelona could be a sufferer of them. He additionally stated Negreira was not ready to straight affect referees, and that it was Negreira’s son who truly produced the refereeing studies.

“I dare anyone to show an instance in which Barcelona was favored in a match because of these payments,” Laporta stated. “We will allow the justice system to do its work and I’m sure that Barcelona will be cleared. I am fully convinced that FC Barcelona has never performed any act with the intention of altering the competition to gain an advantage.”

The Spanish league, Real Madrid and different golf equipment have been amongst these participating within the authorized proceedings in opposition to Barcelona. Laporta criticized league president Javier Tebas for making accusations in opposition to Barcelona, and in addition took a shot at rival Madrid.

“Everyone knows that Real Madrid is a club that is historically favored by refereeing mistakes,” he stated.

Laporta stated Barcelona has at all times been a membership that takes pleasure in its values, and it could by no means wish to win something with outdoors assist.

“Throughout its 123-year history, FC Barcelona has always been a model of fair play, both on and off the field,” he stated. “If we have won for so many decades, it has undoubtedly been a result of effort, talent and knowledge.”

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