Sandro Rosell says he has nothing to hide following allegations he benefited financially from Spain international friendlies.
According to Brazilian newspaper Estadao, part of the money paid to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) by international sides to play friendly games against Brazil somehow found its way into bank accounts registered in Rosell’s name.
However, the Barcelona President told Catalunya Radio’s El Club de la Mitjanit programme on Monday night that he is innocent of any wrongdoing and is free to go back to Brazil whenever he wants.
“I have nothing to hide. I’d like to know who is accusing me and of what I am being accused, because I’ve not received anything from any court,” insisted Rosell.
“I’ve worked openly in public, which is what I’ve done all my life. Anybody who wants to can denounce me.
“Let them take me to court and sue me for the things they say I’ve done. After that we’ll talk about things in front of a judge.
“I can get into Brazil when I want because there is no open procedure against me anywhere in the world.
“In Brazil there was an administrative error from a company that submitted a tender. The government said it couldn’t be presented. It was, the job got done and that was that.”
Rosell also invited reporter Pere Escobar to ask “good, deep questions because this is the first and only time I’ll talk about my personal life”, whilst also referring to former CBF President Ricardo Teixeira, a personal friend.
“He was looking for a passive residence in France, England, the United States…I’ve had an agency in Andorra for 25 years and he consulted me in that respect.
“What’s the problem? He has stayed in the United States.”
The 49-year-old also revealed the price he and his family pay for being President of one of the world’s largest sporting institutions.
“I still get detectives [following me]. My daughters pay part of the price for me being President of this club.
“They don’t like it but they accept it,” he added.
