February 5 – Once one of the most influential figures in European football, playing a prominent role in the European Club Association and representing that body on various UEFA and FIFA committees, former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell continues to have his assets frozen in Spain.
Rosell is being investigated for his alleged involvement in money laundering and had applied to have his assets unfrozen in order to meet certain expenses including taxes, social security fees and telephone bills.
But Spanish reports quoted a court statement as saying: “Pending a police report, the defence hasn’t provided any evidence” that the freeze should be lifted.
Rosell was arrested last May, along with his wife, as part of a money laundering investigation over television rights relating to the Brazilian national team.
Rosell worked with the Brazilian Football Confederation prior to becoming Barca president in 2010. He was manager of sporting goods giants Nike in Brazil and oversaw the Nike contract for the national team. That is reportedly the period when the alleged wrongdoing took place, apparently through his company, Ailanto Marketing.
Back in 2014, Rosell resigned as Barca boss after four years in charge when it was alleged he misappropriated funds from the €57 million signing of Neymar from Brazilian club Santos.
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