Former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell was arrested on Tuesday in a money laundering operation related to image rights in the Brazilian national football team, a police spokesman was quoted as saying by AFP.
The operation was mainly carried out in the region of Catalonia and for the moment “there are four or five detainees, including the former president of Barca, Sandro Rosell, and his wife,” the police spokesman added.
The 53-year-old presided over the Barcelona side during a trophy-laden spell between 2010 to 2014, replacing predecessor Joan Laporta. During Rosell’s time, Barcelona won two La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, a UEFA Champions League title, and a Club World Cup. Rosell resigned after he was summoned by the court for alleged misappropriation of funds over the signing of Brazilian star Neymar. Rosell was instrumental in brokering several high-profile transfers during his time, which includes Chilean Alexis Sanchez, Spain internationals Cesc Fabregas and Jodri Alba, and Argentine veteran Javier Mascherano.
