A judge in Barcelona has flagged two potential crimes in FC Barcelona’s signing of Antoine Griezmann, accusing the club of disloyal administration and accounting falsehood linked to a €15 million payment to Atlético Madrid.
The ruling from Court of Instruction 32 alleges that Barcelona negotiated with Griezmann while he was still under contract with Atlético, a violation of FIFA rules prohibiting contact with players under contract outside the final six months.
The judge claims Barça “skipped FIFA regulations” and that Atlético had already reported the illicit approach to the RFEF.
To evade possible sanctions, Barcelona is said to have struck a deal: pay Atlético €15 million so they would withhold evidence in the complaint proceedings.
The judge’s decision states that Barça made this payment while simulating the acquisition of a first refusal right over Atlético prospects, thus cloaking the transaction.
The legal move now formally adds the Griezmann case to existing charges against former club president José Maria Bartomeu and senior executives.