A Spanish court said on Wednesday that Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, has been indicted as part of the investigations into alleged referee bribes.
Several people have already been charged, including the club itself, two of its former presidents, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, the former head of Spain’s referee organization, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, and his son.
In connection with his tenure from 2003 to 2010 as Barcelona’s first president, Laporta has been charged.
Laporta could not, in the judge’s opinion, take advantage of the statute of limitations due to the gravity of the accusations, according to his report, which was published on Wednesday.
Through businesses that allegedly produced officiating reports for Barcelona between 2001 and 2018, Negreira allegedly made over seven million euros ($7.5 million) from the club.
The 27-time champions of Spain, Barcelona, have been defending themselves against allegations for months.
