• Police at the office of Barcelona football club on Monday, March 01, 2021. AFP
    Police at the office of Barcelona football club on Monday, March 01, 2021. AFP
  • Mossos d'Esquadra police officers raided the offices of FC Barcelona on Monday. Reuters
    Mossos d'Esquadra police officers raided the offices of FC Barcelona on Monday. Reuters
  • Reporters wait outside FC Barcelona's headquarters as members of Mossos d'Esquadra regional police's economic offences unit raid the offices. EPA
    Reporters wait outside FC Barcelona's headquarters as members of Mossos d'Esquadra regional police's economic offences unit raid the offices. EPA
  • Mossos d'Esquadra police officers arrive at the offices of FC Barcelona. Reuters
    Mossos d'Esquadra police officers arrive at the offices of FC Barcelona. Reuters
  • Journalists stand in front of the gate of Barcelona club office. AFP
    Journalists stand in front of the gate of Barcelona club office. AFP
  • Police officers enter the offices of Barcelona football club. AFP
    Police officers enter the offices of Barcelona football club. AFP

Arrests made as police raid Barcelona club offices - in pictures


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Police raided the offices of FC Barcelona on Monday, making several arrests six days before presidential elections at the club.

Police refused to confirm names of those arrested, saying only "arrests are taking place" and adding that the operation was being run by the financial crimes unit.

The club released a statement saying they are co-operating with authorities.

"FC Barcelona have offered up their full collaboration to the legal and police authorities to help make clear facts which are subject to investigation," it said.

"FC Barcelona express its utmost respect for the judicial process in place and for the principle of presumed innocence for the people affected within the remit of this investigation."

Barcelona revealed the operation is related to last year’s Barcagate, in which club officials were accused of launching a smear campaign against current and former players.

Then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his board of directors resigned last year amid fallout from the controversy surrounding Lionel Messi's stay at the club. The club has been mired in political turmoil and debt triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

It is the latest development in a crisis at the Spanish giants. Bartomeu had presided over a dramatic decline in performances on the pitch and a personal falling-out with Messi, who tried to leave for free last summer.

Messi accused the club of "always juggling everything and plugging gaps" under Bartomeu's leadership.

Bartomeu's successor is due to be elected on Sunday, when club members will choose between Joan Laporta, Toni Freixa and Victor Font.