Spanish radio station cadena ser reported that former barca president Joseph maria Bartomeu was among those arrested as part of an operation into the club contracting a firm to monitor social media activity last year
Bartomeu is one of four people to have been arrested so far with Barcelona CEO Oscar Grau and head of legal service Roman Gomez Ponti two of those.
On monday morning Spanish police arrived at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium for a search and seize operation. Bartomeu was arrested at home. The economic crimes unit of the catalonia police force is overseeing the searches.
Spanish media said the operation was related to last year’s ‘Barcagate,’ in which club officials were accused of launching a smear campaign against current and former players who were critical of the club and then-president Bartomeu.
Starman Lionel Messi, veteran defender Gerard Pique and former manager, now Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola were among those targeted by the negative stories and social media posts
