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Spanish Football League President defends Barca President Bartomeu

Xinhua, February 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Javier Tebas, the President of the Spanish Football League (LFP) spoke on Wednesday to defend FC Barcelona President, Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Bartomeu was indicted by Judge Pablo Ruz on Tuesday for tax fraud linked to possible irregularities over the signing of Brazilian striker, Neymar from Santos in the summer of 2013.

However, speaking to the press at an appearance in a conference on integrity, Tebas back the Barca President.

"I have read the judge's written arguments and, in relation to the imputation of Bartomeu, there are legal flaws," he said.

He explained that the tax Bartomeu was accused of avoiding could have been paid up until January 31 this year.

"It is not normal that he has been accused in four days," added Tebas, who said the tax issue was "highly debatable I think that Bartomeu might be right."

He also backed Bartomeu's decision not to resign, saying he too had been charged in two cases and not resigned.

On Wednesday Bartomeu had launched a strong defense of himself and his club, implying that both Real Madrid and the Spanish government could have had a hand in the decision to press charges against him.

"There are State institutions that don't like what's happening in Barcelona .. allowed their stadium to be used for the Concert for Freedom and played in the colors of the Catalan flag on September 11 and maybe that didn't go down well. There's a political element to this," he said. Endite