As indicated by Libertad Digital, and confirmed by Mundo Deportivo this Friday, FC Barcelona was ordered by the Spanish courts to pay 23 million euros for simulating remuneration to players’ agents.

This sum must be paid by the club in respect of Personal Income Tax (IRPF) for the years 2012 to 2015, which results from payments made to the players’ sports agents.

Barça, believing that these amounts corresponded to remuneration for services rendered to the club, filed an appeal with the Audiencia Nacional (the Spanish court), but was ultimately rejected.

This Friday, the Catalan club reacted via a press release on its social networks: “the Barcelona Football Club has been informed of the decision of the Personal Income Tax (IRPF) section of the National Court. This decision entails at this time no payment obligation for the Club (…) Football Club Barcelona specifies that it will present an appeal to the Supreme Court. This decision does not currently result in any payment obligation for the Club, this eventuality being duly provisioned in the annual accounts,” specifies the press release.