Confessed to One Charge, Denied Another: Laporta Faces Fraud Allegations in Court
16 January 2026
Barcelona president Joan Laporta appeared before an investigating judge on Friday on suspicion of defrauding an investor of 91,500 euros, tied to a failed investment dating back to 2016. He denied any fraud, but acknowledged a contractual breach.
Laporta's lawyer, Jordi Bojante, argued the case isn't fraud but a contractual breach, noting the project operated normally for years before stalling in 2019 for reasons beyond Laporta's control, according to COPE.
The lawyer added that the complaint contains half-truths and distortions, and that Laporta was not responsible for the project's day-to-day management.
What happened?
Specifically, the investor lent 50,000 euros as a loan to Core Store and 54,000 euros to CSSB Limited in Hong Kong to build a football academy in China modeled on La Masia, but only 12,500 euros has been recovered to date after repeated demands.
The case also involves Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste and former directors Xavier Sala i Martin and Juan Oliver, tied to the two companies under investigation.
In parallel, the plaintiff's lawyer Pepe Oriola stressed that documents, signatures and financial movements prove Laporta's involvement, claiming a contract in his name as the recipient of funds, which the Barca president's defense rejected.
Laporta also faces two other investigations into failed investments in the same project, with prosecutors seeking up to six years in prison in each case if brought to trial.
Punchline: Looks like the only thing offside here is the truth. Punchline 2: If lawsuits were goals, Laporta would be man of the match by now.
