Madrid: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has claimed the accusations against the club for tax evasion in the signing of Brazilian star Neymar are linked to their support of Catalan independence from Spain. Bartomeu was charged with tax fraud by a Spanish judge on Tuesday, suspected of evading 2.85 million euros ($3.26 million) in a payment made to Neymar last year.


Neymar. Pic/AFP 

On Monday, the club and former president Sandro Rosell, who resigned over the affair just over a year ago, were also accused of avoiding over 12 million euros in tax for declaring an incorrect transfer fee for the 22-year-old back in 2013. "I am convinced that there are certain powers of the state who didn't like the fact that he came to Barcelona, a Catalan club, and one that has participated in acts of support for Catalan independence," Bartomeu told regional television station 8tv.