Bartomeu's Barcelona in alleged Malcolm transfer scam

Catalan police have identified potential financial misconduct in Barcelona's 2018 acquisition of Brazilian midfielder Malcom from Bordeaux, according to a report submitted to Investigation Court No. 16. The inquiry targets former president Josep Maria Bartomeu and former officials from his administration over payments totaling 10 million euros to Business Football Spain between 2018 and 2020. Investigators allege Barcelona paid 8.4 million euros to the brokerage firm, but only 1.5 million euros reached Bordeaux directly after contract modifications reduced tax obligations to Spanish authorities. Prosecutors accuse Bartomeu of unfair management for authorizing deals without board approval, and the probe extends to a 1.7 million euro payment to attorney Gonzales Franco regarding Neymar's transfer, and 1.5 million euros compensating Esporiti Labita club for damages from the Espai Barcelona project.