Futbol Club Barcelona has issued a press statement this Monday "categorically" denying that the club was involved in "spreading negative messages or contempt" against anyone close to Barça through social media accounts. The accusations made by the Spanish radio network SER, that current stars including Messi and Piqué, former players, candidates for the presidency and political personalities were all targeted by a Barça-directed negative publicity campaign have been described by the club as "absurd".
Incomprehensible to attack present and former players
Barça considers it incomprehensible that it would attack players in its own squad or former players such as Xavi Hernández or Carles Puyol, as this newspaper has been told. The Catalan club sought to incorporate Xavi as coach and Puyol as sports director, so, they assure, there is no motive to slander them.
"FC Barcelona categorically denies any relationship and, even more strongly, the contracting of any services linked to social media accounts that have spread negative or scornful messages in relation to any person, entity or organization that has or has had a relationship with the Club," says Barça's statement.
The giant football club admitted that I3 Ventures is a provider of the club, but it has "no connection to these accounts". "Were any relationship demonstrated, the Club would immediately terminate its contractual relationship and take appropriate legal actions in defence of its legitimate interests," it said.
Barça also stated that it had contracted social media monitoring services to monitor all kinds of messages, positive and negative, in which Barça was the focus. "The club seeks to protect and preserve its reputation as well as that of all those linked to the Club," it said.
Barça's full press statement in English
With regard to the information released today about the contracting of a company dedicated to creating opinions on social media to damage the image of third parties directly or indirectly related to the Club, FC Barcelona:
1.- Strongly denies any relationship and, even more strongly, the contracting of any services linked to social media accounts that have spread negative messages or contempt in relation to any person, entity or organization that has or has had a relationship with the Club.
2.- I3 Ventures, a provider for the Club, has no connection to these accounts and, were any kind of relationship to be demonstrated, the Club would immediately terminate its contractual relationship and take appropriate legal actions in defence of its legitimate interests.
3.- In addition, FC Barcelona confirms that it has contracted social media monitoring services with the aim of being aware of both the positive and negative messages of which the Institution is the object.
4.- Through the contracting of these services, the Club seeks to protect and preserve its reputation as well as that of all those linked to the Club (sponsors, players, executives, members, supporters...), to the extent that the protection of this reputation is a fundamental element and an indispensable duty for those who work for the Institution.
5.- The Club demands the immediate rectification of the information disseminated and reserves the right to take appropriate legal actions against anyone who continues to implicate the Club in this type of practice.
Original statement in Catalan: