Ex-Barca president Rosell to stand trial on money laundering

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MADRID (AP) A Spanish judge has ruled former president of Barcelona Football Club Sandro Rosell to stand trial on charges of money laundering involving the sale of television rights for Brazil matches.

Investigative judge Carmen Lamela issued a ruling on Friday that Rosell, his wife, and four more individuals will stand trial at a date yet to be set on charges of money laundering and forming part of a criminal organization.

Lamela conludes there is evidence that Rosell and the others misappropriated money coming from the sale of television rights for matches featuring Brazil, and from a sponsorship contract between Nike and Brazil.

The judge says Rosell and his wife are suspected of having laundered nearly 15 million euros ($17 million) from the TV deals and another five million euros ($5.8 million) from the Nike contract.

Rosell, a former Nike executive in Brazil who presided over Barcelona from 2010-14, has been in custody since his arrest last year.

In a separate case in Spain, Rosell is going to stand trial for fraud and corruption charges involving the transfer of striker Neymar from Brazilian club Santos to Barcelona in 2013.

Rosell has denied any wrongdoing.