Barcelona president Joan Laporta is facing another legal challenge as he has been charged with alleged fraud for the second time in less than a month. According to reports from *Cadena Ser*, Laporta and his former business partner, Joan Olive, are accused of failing to return €50,000 to a private investor.
Between 2016 and 2018, Laporta and Olive reportedly raised money from various investors for a company they managed. The current accusation claims they failed to return €50,000 to one investor, adding to a previous charge in which they allegedly withheld €4.7 million from another complainant. The situation has intensified scrutiny on Laporta, as another potential lawsuit could emerge from another alleged victim.
Laporta is said to have invested funds into a company named Reus, which later became insolvent, and a Hong Kong-based firm with the intention of building a house in Asia. However, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs claims that the investors were never informed about the fate of their money. This is now the second legal case within 30 days, adding further pressure on Laporta, who has already faced challenges as Barcelona’s president.
As investigations continue, it remains to be seen how this latest legal development will impact Laporta’s role at Barcelona. The president could soon face more lawsuits if additional claimants come forward. This legal turmoil comes at a delicate time for Barcelona, with major on-field and financial challenges already looming over the club.
With Laporta’s leadership under increasing scrutiny, these allegations could further complicate his tenure at the helm of one of Europe’s most iconic football clubs.
