February 8 – How are the mighty fallen. As a former president of Barcelona and a key figure in the European Clubs Association, Sandro Rosell was used to the high life. Not any longer.
A Barcelona newspaper has exposed the stark conditions under which Rosell is being held in preventative detention following his arrest last year as part of a money laundering investigation.
Mundo Deportivo says Rosell, who has failed with six appeals, is having to put up with below-freezing temperatures equipped with an anorak and hot water bottle.
Prosecutors are apparently concerned he would flee if he was released but Rosell’s lawyers are reported to be arguing that he is serving a disproportionate amount of time in detention compared with others such as disgraced former FIFA and UEFA vice-president Angel Maria Villar.
His lawyers are also apparently seeking for him to be transferred nearer to his family to prevent them having to travel 1,200 kms each week to see him.
Rosell is said to sleep every night in an anorak because of the lack of heating and is being kept in such confinement that the only contact he has with other inmates is by going to Mass.
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