Barcelona hit with £19.4m tax bill for irregularities surrounding agents fees between 2012 and 2015… as the Catalan club suffers their latest financial blow after appeal was denied by Spain’s National Court
- Barcelona must pay £19.4 million after incorrect tax payments
- The club announced that they will appeal the ruling to the Spanish Supreme Court
- David Moyes will have huge shoes to fill if he leaves West Ham at the end of the season It all starts podcast
Barcelona must pay £19.4 million after it was ruled the club had wrongly paid tax on player agent fees between 2012 and 2015.
The ruling was initially imposed by resolution of the Central Economic Administrative Court in 2020, but following an appeal by the club, the Spanish National Court upheld the ruling.
In a statement, Barcelona stressed that the decision was ‘surprising’ and that they would appeal again to the Spanish Supreme Court.
According to a report from The Athleticsthe problem stems from the remuneration paid by Barcelona to agents during that period.
The state argued that agents provide a service to the players and not to the clubs, and as such are subject to a personal income tax.
Spain’s National Court has ruled that Barcelona must pay £19.4 million for incorrect tax payments between 2012 and 2015.
Despite their latest appeal being rejected, the club announced it would challenge the ruling
The court would agree with this interpretation and note that it is ‘obvious’ that there is ‘tax simulation’.
The ruling marks just the latest financial blow the club has suffered in recent years, with financial worries exacerbated by the club’s on-field problems this season.
In November, a fine imposed on Barcelona for breaching UEFA’s financial reporting rules was upheld following an appeal by the club.
Barca was fined £434,000 by the Upper House of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) in July for misreporting profits on the sale of intangible assets, other than player transfers, in the 2022 financial year that were not recognized as relevant income were considered.
The ruling marks the latest financial setback for Barca president Joan Laporta, just months after the club was fined for breaching UEFA’s financial reporting rules
Meanwhile, in December the club threatened to take legal action against an investment company they allege failed to pay the club £34.6 million for a stake in their digital platform Barca Vision.
The club’s continued financial instability could also lead to the departure of Frenkie De Jong, with Manchester United aiming to leave Catalonia this summer.
Xavi’s side currently sit third in LaLiga, eight points behind Real Madrid and six behind surprise contenders Girona.
