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"Barcelona" president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who gave an exclusive interview to BBC journalist, once again ensured that the club, which acquired Neymar last summer, did everything legally.
According to the Catalan team leader, the controversy that arose due to the circumstances of the player's contract undoubtedly damaged the team's image, but "Barcelona" will do everything to fix it.
"It's a very strange situation. We know perfectly well that we are in the right, because we did everything legally and properly. Neymar was acquired completely legally. I understand that someone now thinks that the club's image is tarnished. Well, we are here to fix that image," the president emphasized.
Bartomeu reiterated that "Barcelona" paid a tax payment of 13.5 million euros, but that by no means meant that the club admitted guilt.
"That payment was made at our initiative to avoid any interpretations during judicial clarification. This does not mean that we did something illegally or unlawfully. We just decided to act wisely and prevent possible misinterpretations," the Catalan explained. "Of course, we are not satisfied with the current situation, but once again I want to say that 'Barcelona' will defend itself with all its might."
On February 20, the top judge of Spain, Pablo Ruz, started a case regarding possible tax evasion. Although it is believed that "Barcelona" did not pay 9.1 million euros in taxes, the Catalan club paid the amount of 13.5 million euros, calculated taking into account all the agreements that were made when acquiring the footballer.
According to the "Barcelona" management, a paradoxical situation arose when the club was forced to pay taxes in two countries - Spain and Brazil - for the same transaction.
It is said that the Catalan team would recover the aforementioned 13.5 million euro payment if it managed to legally prove its innocence.
"It's an absurd situation and we disagree with the judge's opinion. It should not be forgotten that 'Barcelona' is not just a club, but also a well-known brand in the world. We are ready to fight with all our might to defend our position," Bartomeu assured.
