At the beginning of the year, the “Barcagate” scandal hit Barcelona. Now there is new knowledge about defamation of leadership critics.
In March, after a raid at FC Barcelona, ex-President Josep Maria Bartomeu, among others, was arrested. Bartomeu was suspected of defaming critics of the club’s management, including former and current players such as Pep Guardiola, Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique, on social media as part of the so-called “Barcagate”.
Carlos Ibanez, owner of NiceStream, a company hired by Barca, has now admitted that the company was responsible for creating profiles on the instructions of the club. Ibanez also emphasized that Barca knew about all the content at all times. This comes from a conversation between Ibanez and a lawyer for the Catalans who SPOX and Goal is present.
“In all reports that we sent to the club, all actions were documented,” emphasized Ibanez: “This was all part of the contract.”
FC Barcelona: Ibanez justifies action
Ibanez rejected allegations of defamation: “Under no circumstances. I know this is part of the allegations. But I want to make it clear that we’ve been in business for ten years and have 40 customers. No project was about anyone defame, but rather to emphasize the value of our customers, “he emphasized.
Ibanez added that the aim was to “save Barca’s prestige from harm.” The people mentioned in the publications had “attacked Barca and we only limited the damage.” This was the company’s job to protect the reputation of the association and its officials. It is not about defending individuals, but the entire institution.
“When someone says that Ernesto Valverde [ehemaliger Barca-Trainer, Anm. d. Red.] because Guardiola is the right man for the post, then this channel shows that Guardiola has not won a title for three years “, Ibanez cited as an example:” It’s not about defaming Guardiola. That is just a fact, the reality. One should not attack Valverde, who was part of this institution, and say that Guardiola is the savior when in reality he has achieved nothing. “
– .
