Barcelona court rejects fraud lawsuit against Joan Laporta

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has secured another legal victory. Court of First Instance number 22 in Barcelona has dismissed a fraud lawsuit filed against him and several others, including Barcelona vice president Rafael Yuste.

Judge Marta Bou stated clearly that the lawsuit contained no elements constituting a crime of fraud. She concluded that there was no proven intent to criminalize the transactions in question, which were brought to court by plaintiff Maria Teresa Alibau Batch.

The case focused on two investments made in the football club Reus Deportiu. The court found no evidence of criminal activity, noting that the plaintiff had already admitted to receiving returns on her first investment.

This marks the second ruling in Laporta's favor within a short period. In early June, the Barcelona Provincial Court also dismissed a separate fraud lawsuit in the same file, brought by former tennis player Albert Ramos against former Barcelona general manager Joan Oliver.