Josep Maria Bartomeu Floreta[1] (born 6 February 1963) is a Spanish entrepreneur and former president of FC Barcelona. He started his presidency in 2014, following the resignation of Sandro Rosell; he held the post until his resignation in 2020.[2] He was replaced by interim Barcelona president Carlos Tusquets,[3] and afterwards by election winner Joan Laporta.[4]
Josep Maria Bartomeu | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Bartomeu in 2015 | |
| 40th President of FC Barcelona | |
| In office 23 January 2014 – 27 October 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Sandro Rosell |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Tusquets (interim) Joan Laporta |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Josep Maria Bartomeu Floreta 6 February 1963 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | ESADE |
| Profession | Entrepreneur |
Career
editPartner and CEO of the companies ADELTE and EFS, Bartomeu served on the board of Barcelona during Joan Laporta's presidency (as head of the basketball section) along with Sandro Rosell, who resigned due to differences with the then president. He then served as Rosell's vice-president of Barcelona from July 2010 to January 2014 after they won the election with 61.35% of the vote of the members of the club. Following the resignation of Sandro Rosell on 23 January 2014, due to the so-called "Neymar case", Bartomeu was, following the club's constitution, elected, as the fortieth President of Barcelona, to complete Rosell's term.[citation needed]
On 27 October 2020, Bartomeu announced his resignation, along with the entire Board of Directors.[5]
Tax fraud allegations
editBartomeu was investigated in a case of alleged tax fraud over the signing of forward Neymar, along with former president Sandro Rosell. He was set to stand trial after his appeal was rejected.[6][7] After a further appeal, it was reported that Bartomeu would not stand trial over the allegations; Rosell and Barcelona were similarly cleared.[8] The thorough research at the Camp Nou offices on Monday morning, carried out by the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalonia police force), led to the arrest of Bartomeu, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of the club, Oscar Grau, former adviser to the presidency Jaume Masferrer, and head of legal counsel Roman Gomez Ponti.[9]
Controversy
editIn March 2021, he was investigated by Catalan police, due to an alleged defamation campaign against Barcelona, known as Barçagate. Bartomeu was accused of hiring I3 Ventures to improve the club's image on social media and was accused of launching a smear campaign against some of the club's star players.[10]
Trophies won by club during presidency
editFootball
edit- La Liga:
- Copa del Rey:
- Supercopa de España:
- UEFA Champions League:
- UEFA Super Cup:
- FIFA Club World Cup:
Futsal
edit- Primera División:
- 2018–19
- Copa del Rey de Futsal:
- UEFA Futsal Cup:
- Copa de España (LNFS):
- 2019
Beach soccer
editBasketball
editHandball
edit- IHF Super Globe:
- EHF Champions League:
- Liga ASOBAL:
- Copa del Rey de Balonmano:
- Copa ASOBAL:
- Supercopa ASOBAL:
- 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–2018, 2018–19
Roller hockey
edit- OK Liga:
- Copa del Rey de Hockey Patines:
- Supercopa de España de Hockey Patines:
- CERH European League:
- CERH Continental Cup:
- 2015, 2018
- Roller Hockey Intercontinental Cup:
- 2014
Ice hockey
edit- Spanish ice hockey cups:
- 2014–15
- 2018–19
References
edit- ^ "Así es Josep Maria Bartomeu". 23 January 2014.
- ^ "Bartomeu resigns as Barcelona president as entire board steps down | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Barcelona's interim president admits selling Messi would have been helpful". the Guardian. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ @FCBarcelona (7 March 2021). "The final tally of the FC Barcelona presidential election with 100% of the vote counted" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Josep Maria Bartomeu announces the resignation of the Board of Directors". FC Barcelona. 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Court agrees to Spain prosecutor's request to investigate Barcelona president". The Guardian. Associated Press. 3 February 2015. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
- ^ "Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu faces trial over Neymar deal". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
- ^ "Neymar: Bartomeu, Rosell, Barcelona won't face trial". Goal.com. 11 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Josep Maria Bartomeu aresseted". footballexpress.in. 22 February 2021.
- ^ "What we know about police raid at FC Barcelona's stadium in relation to 'Barçagate'". USA Today. 1 March 2021.
External links
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