Barcelona Economic VP Javier Faus said the club has spent €900,000 ($1.15M) on lawyers who "in the last year have defended the club in the Neymar case and against FIFA sanctions," according to LIBERTAD DIGITAL. Faus made the announcement on Saturday during an assembly in front of the club's members. He said, "We have spent a lot of money on lawyers." The club has "contracted seven law offices, one in Switzerland -- the most expensive -- with the objective of defending the club from FIFA sanctions for signing minors in the transfer market." Regarding the Neymar case, Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu "maintained the same position as always," saying, "We believe no fiscal crime has been committed. There is an interpretative controversy that the judge should resolve. The truth will benefit Barça" (LIBERTAD DIGITAL, 10/19). Faus also announced the club's team-record '13-14 revenue of €530M to the assembly.
BARTOMEU ADDRESSES FUTURE: Bartomeu confirmed he will be standing in the club's presidential election in '16. He called the previous season "one of the toughest in recent years" and highlighted seven issues that affected the club, including a new president, the Neymar case, the FIFA sanctions and the death of Tito Vilanova. Bartomeu also discussed the club's Espai Barça project and consolidating Barcelona's finances (Barcelona).
