Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has claimed that arch rivals Real Madrid had a part to play in the Neymar transfer court case.
Hours after being summoned to give evidence regarding the signing of the Brazilian, Bartomeu insinuated that the Catalans were victim of an “attack” involving Real and the Spanish state.
“We have done nothing wrong and we will keep saying the truth. The signing of Neymar took place using the most prestigious lawyers,” Bartomeu told Spanish television.
“I’m not saying Madrid are behind this but Neymar’s father told me that there were two offers: Barca and Madrid wanted to buy him and were ready to pay more for him.”
Bartomeu will be debriefed on 13 February on whether Barcelona and their directors defrauded the Spanish Tax Office of €2.8m ($3.2m, £2.1m) in 2014.
He added that”there are certain powers of (the) state that are not happy that Neymar came to Barca” because of Barcelona’s links with the regional independence movement in Catalonia.
