Spanish Treasury Secretary Miguel Ferre Responds To Barcelona President's Allegations

Spain Treasury Secretary Miguel Ferre assured that "the Spanish tax authorities do not work following political criteria," according to the EFE. Ferre rejected the idea that the tax charges against Barcelona President Josep María Bartomeu "have to do with such motives." Ferre: "I can assure that none of our professionals work dictated by political opinions as insinuated by Bartomeu's declarations. There are no political persecutions, and this is not being done because of someone wearing a team shirt or not wearing a team shirt" (EFE, 2/5).

POPE WELCOMES DELEGATION: MUNDO DEPORTIVO reported a Barcelona delegation led by Bartomeu and VP Jordi Cardoner were received on Thursday by Pope Francis. Bartomeu gave the Pope a Barcelona shirt featuring his name on the back that was signed by all the players. The club delegation visited the Vatican to sign an agreement with the Scholas Occurrentes charity to set up joint educational actions (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 2/5).