Barcelona’s Lionel Messi reacts after a missed scoring opportunity during match against Athletic Bilbao.
According to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser Cataluna on Monday, Barca hired PR company, I3 Ventures, to improve the image of Bartomeu and the club’s board online. In a statement on Monday, Barcelona denied that it was behind the messages and Bartomeu reiterated that stance on Tuesday. Barcelona had already threatened legal action against any media organisations that “continue to implicate the club in this type of practice”.
The controversy increases the pressure on Bartomeu and the Barcelona board ahead of presidential elections due next year, and following a period of political turmoil at the club.