Barcelona fires back: Legal threat as election row erupts

February 24, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

FC Barcelona has threatened immediate legal action over allegations it says are fabricated, escalating tensions during a sensitive electoral period for the Catalan club.

According to an official statement published on FC Barcelona’s website Monday, the dispute began on 15 January 2026, when journalists from two unnamed media outlets and the Organized Crime & Corruption Reporting Project, OCCRP, contacted the club seeking verification of information and documents linked to a forthcoming story.

Contact from reporters in January

In its statement, FC Barcelona said it carried out both internal and external checks to assess the credibility of the material presented. The club concluded that the claims were baseless and appeared to rely on falsified or heavily altered documentation.

On 19 January, Barcelona formally responded to the reporters and to OCCRP, stating that the allegations were “completely false.” The club added that, although it had not examined the documents firsthand, it believed they must have been falsified or manipulated.

The organization said it appreciated that journalists had approached the club for comment before publication, but urged them not to proceed with a story it described as inaccurate.

Legal and disciplinary steps

FC Barcelona indicated it will initiate legal proceedings against club members who allegedly filed the complaint, citing the presentation of a false report, false documentation and libel among the potential offenses under review.

The club also plans to request that its Disciplinary Committee open formal proceedings and consider the strongest sanctions available under its statutes, regardless of whether the original complaint is admitted for consideration.

In addition, Barcelona signaled it is studying possible measures against the media outlet that published the report, arguing that its position had been clearly communicated prior to publication.

Election campaign in the background

The clash comes as FC Barcelona moves through an active presidential election process, with voting scheduled for March 15. The club emphasized that it will provide the Electoral Committee with all relevant information so it can assess the matter independently.

Barcelona urged media organizations to verify potentially damaging information with the club before publication, particularly during an election campaign. It argued that the timing of the allegations suggests an attempt to influence the democratic process and affect the sovereignty of its members.

While the substance of the external complaint has not been publicly detailed, FC Barcelona maintains that the claims mirror the information it rejected in January. The media outlet involved has not publicly responded to the club’s latest statement.

Sources: FC Barcelona official statement, 23 February 2026.