Josep Maria Bartomeu

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 FC Barcelona president Carlos Tusquets,[3] and afterwards by election winner Joan Laporta.[4]

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Bartomeu and the second or maternal family name is Floreta.
Josep Maria Bartomeu
Bartomeu in 2015
40th President of FC Barcelona
In office
23 January 2014 – 27 October 2020
Preceded bySandro Rosell
Succeeded byCarlos Tusquets (interim)
Joan Laporta
Personal details
Born
Josep Maria Bartomeu Floreta

(1963-02-06) 6 February 1963
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Children2
Alma materESADE
ProfessionEntrepreneur

Career

Partner and CEO of the companies ADELTE and EFS, Bartomeu served on the board of FC 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.

On 27 October 2020, Bartomeu announced his resignation, along with the entire Board of Directors.[5]

Tax fraud allegations

Bartomeu 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 FC 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

In March 2021, he was investigated by Catalan police, due to an alleged defamation campaign against FC 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

Football

FC Barcelona:

FC Barcelona Femení:

Futsal

FC Barcelona Futsal:

Beach soccer

FC Barcelona Beach Soccer:

Basketball

FC Barcelona Basketball:

Handball

FC Barcelona Handbol:

Roller hockey

FC Barcelona Roller Hockey:

Ice hockey

FC Barcelona Ice Hockey:

  • Spanish ice hockey cups:
    • 2014–15
    • 2018–19

References
  1. "Así es Josep Maria Bartomeu". 23 January 2014.
  2. "Bartomeu resigns as Barcelona president as entire board steps down | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  3. "Barcelona's interim president admits selling Messi would have been helpful". the Guardian. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  4. @FCBarcelona (7 March 2021). "The final tally of the FC Barcelona presidential election with 100% of the vote counted" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. "Josep Maria Bartomeu announces the resignation of the Board of Directors". FC Barcelona. 27 October 2020.
  6. "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.
  7. "Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu faces trial over Neymar deal". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  8. "Neymar: Bartomeu, Rosell, Barcelona won't face trial". Goal.com. 11 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  9. "Josep Maria Bartomeu aresseted". footballexpress.in. 22 February 2021.
  10. "What we know about police raid at FC Barcelona's stadium in relation to 'Barçagate'". USA Today. 1 March 2021.
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