NBA Highlights: Kings 123, Grizzlies 114

Joan Laporta hits back at ‘nonsense’ lawsuit as Barcelona election heats up

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 17: Joan Laporta attends the press conference during the presentation of his candidacy for the presidency of FC Barcelona with the ‘Defensem el Barça’ platform at Sede ‘Defensem el Barça’ on February 17, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images

Joan Laporta, outgoing president of FC Barcelona and now a candidate for the club’s presidency, faced the elephant in the room: a lawsuit filed against him and several board members at the Audiencia Nacional (a national court in Spain.) The complaint, reported by El Periódico, accuses him and key executives of money laundering, dodgy commissions, foreign financial dealings, and tax fraud.

“Everything is opaque, suspicious, and nonsense of the highest order,” Laporta said bluntly, dismissing the allegations as part of a long-running effort to undermine him and his candidacy.

The complaint names Laporta, his brother Xavier, five board members, and three club executives, focusing on contracts with Barça Vision, New Era Visionary Group, Limak, Nike, and VIP seating arrangements. According to the lawsuit, these deals concealed illegitimate commissions funneled through companies in Spain, Cyprus, Croatia, Estonia, and Dubai.

The lawsuit comes as Laporta enters as the heavy favorite to win the club presidency again. The former president says the allegations are just an attempt to destabilize his candidacy, and by extension, the club itself.

“There is an interest in harming us. We cannot make all contracts public. Transparency has limits, set by the club’s strategy. Some documents could hurt Barça or contain confidential clauses. Within those limits, we are as transparent as possible. This is normal in business,” Laporta said, defending the club’s approach.

Barcelona itself issued a statement calling the claims “implausible and detached from reality,” warning that legal action could follow against the member who filed the lawsuit and any media that report it as fact.

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