How Barcelona’s litany of legal woes are threatening to leave a HUGE dent in their finances… with Sergio Aguero demanding millions and TWO police probes plunging the club into crisis
Stable on the pitch, chaos off of it. That seems to be the mantra that has dogged Barcelona and threatened to drag them down beneath the waves in recent years.
Faced with financial worries and allegations of corruption, the club have taken drastic measures to stay afloat while continuing to take kick after kick to the ribs. The situation – and their bid to fix it – remains fluid and delicate.
Barcelona recently presented the state of their finances for the year ending June 30, 2024, providing an eye-opening glimpse into the peril that lurks in every corner and casts a shadow over the exploits of Hansi Flick’s slick winning machine.
The report included several different lawsuits the club are currently involved in, each of which threatens to leave an even larger dent in their coffers.
The latest, to the shock of some supporters, involves Sergio Aguero. The striker, who retired in 2021 after being diagnosed with a heart condition, is said to be seeking a £2.5million payout three years on from hanging up his boots.
Barcelona remain involved in several legal disputes (pictured: club president Joan Laporta)
The club were involved in two police investigations and accused of corruption
Sergio Aguero is said to be demanding millions after being forced to retire prematurely
Limited to just five appearances and a single goal, Aguero’s career came to an abrupt end after he experienced chest pains during a match against Alaves. This worrying health scare was later discovered to be a cardiac arrhythmia.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Aguero is eyeing up a hefty settlement for ending his employment early. At the time of his retirement, he still had a year and a half left on his contract – which also included an £84million buyout clause.
The outcome of his claim remains uncertain but Barcelona will hope to avoid paying out any more than they need to in light of their financial plight.
Mail Sport has taken a look at several of the club’s other legal headaches…
‘Barcagate’
This explosive and damaging case led to the arrests of several senior figures at Barcelona – including their former president, Josep Maria Bartomeu.
The club were accused of hiring the company I3 Ventures to conduct an online smearing campaign aimed at targeting Bartomeu’s political opponents and the then-board at the Nou Camp. Several players were also said to have been criticised.
In February 2020, Cadena Ser’s El Larguero show revealed documents which allegedly showed Barcelona paying a third party to damage the reputation of several individuals. I3 Ventures are said to have been paid €1m (£837,215) per year.
Individual payments were never for more than €200,000 (£167,424) and came from different departments of the club. Barcelona vehemently denied the accusations.
Catalan police were given a warrant by a judge to collect documents and other evidence relating to possible misappropriation of club funds at the Nou Camp. Bartomeu was detained as part of the investigation but shortly released.
Former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu was arrested as part of the ‘Barcagate’ saga
Police officers were given a warrant to search club offices to collect documents and evidence
Negreira case
Barcelona also remain under investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office on charges of sporting corruption over alleged payments made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees in Spain.
According to El Mundo, the Spanish Civil Guard have concluded that Barcelona paid Negreira €7.5m (£6.2m) for refereeing advice they could not locate. They have also said they discovered €3m (£2.5m) in the accounts of Negreira’s wife.
This amount could also not be accounted for.
Current Barcelona president Joan Laporta explained on several occasions that the payments to Negreira were used for refereeing reports. The club also claimed this was a common practice for other teams in LaLiga at the time.
Again, Barcelona have denied any wrongdoing.
Barcelona also remain under investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office on charges of sporting corruption over alleged payments made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira (pictured, left)
Nike
To the relief of many at the club, this dispute has now been settled.
Last October, Barcelona filed a lawsuit against sportswear giant Nike, requesting that it be recognised the Blaugrana had legally triggered their right to withdraw from the lucrative contract between both parties as of June this year.
They also claimed Nike had no claim to compensation despite tearing up the deal.
As part of the ‘levels’ available to pull to salvage their dire financial situation, Barcelona briefly considered producing kits internally each season.
With a partnership over 20 years old threatening to turn ugly, Nike filed a request for precautionary measures in November that were approved. This August, both parties then reached an agreement and the club withdrew their lawsuit.
The dispute between Barcelona and sportswear giant Nike has now been settled
Gabriel Milito
Former Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito has been in litigation with the club for several years over the termination of his contract, which was ended in August 2011.
After lawsuits and counter-suits were exchanged, Milito requested a total amount of €6.9m (£5.7m) as compensation for unfair dismissal and damages.
The lawsuit was set to take place on January 30 but the two parties reached a settlement agreement on July 18, days before the latest finances were published.
Former Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito has been involved in lengthy litigation with the club
Ousmane Dembele
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are also involved in a legal dispute with Scores Sports Management, Ousmane Dembele’s representatives.
Dembele joined Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023 and the agency filed a lawsuit in June claiming that Barcelona owes them €10m (£8.3m) in fees relating to their involvement as an intermediary in a transfer worth just over £40m.
Barcelona, however, have responded by opposing the claim.