Skip to content

Former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell to stand trial

Former Barcelona President Sandro Rosell pictured in 2014 with his lawyers
Image: Former Barcelona President Sandro Rosell pictured in 2014

A Spanish judge has ruled former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is to stand trial on charges of money laundering involving the sale of television rights for Brazil matches.

Investigative judge Carmen Lamela issued a ruling on Friday that Rosell, his wife, and four more individuals will stand trial at a date yet to be set on charges of money laundering and forming part of a criminal organisation.

Lamela concludes there is evidence that Rosell and the others misappropriated money coming from the sale of television rights for matches featuring Brazil, and from a sponsorship contract between Nike and Brazil.

The judge says Rosell and his wife are suspected of having laundered nearly 15m euros from the TV deals and another 5m euros from the Nike contract.

Neymar and his Brazil team-mates have arrived in Russia
Image: Rosell will also stand trial over the signing of Neymar from Santos to Barcelona

Rosell, a former Nike executive in Brazil who presided over Barcelona from 2010-14, has been in custody since his arrest last year.

In a separate case in Spain, Rosell is going to stand trial for fraud and corruption charges involving the transfer of Neymar from Santos to Barcelona in 2013.

Rosell has denied any wrongdoing.

Around Sky