And to think we had one of the world’s greatest players at our club without even knowing it.
I don’t think he’s a footballer. I think he’s a conceptual artist. There’ll be a film and exhibition when he ‘retires’.
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And to think we had one of the world’s greatest players at our club without even knowing it.
I don’t think he’s a footballer. I think he’s a conceptual artist. There’ll be a film and exhibition when he ‘retires’.
Ah, apologies not Perez. I'll have to do some digging, maybe further back in this thread when the deal first went ahead, there was loads of bullshit going on surrounding huge construction projects being bid for in China. Certainly mixed up the clubs, let me double check.
EDIT:
Found it, a couple of pages back - It's the President of Barca's construction company:
Or..........it could be a very dodgy business deal. Josep Maria Bartomeu Floreta (Barca President) is a partner and CEO at ADELTE Group which is into designing, manufacturing, supplying and maintaining airports, seaports and road transport operations.
ADELTE Group is expanding into China and bidding on projects like the Ocean Flower Island being built by the Evergrande group which also happens to be the parent organisation of—you guessed it—Guangzhou.
Florentino Perez’s (Real Madrid's President) ACS Group was also bidding for the project, but with the Paulinho transfer concluded, the contract is handed over to ADELTE Group and/or associates.
Bartomeu’s is of course still awaiting trial for Tax fraud.
Back when he signed for Barca -
A statement released by Barcelona read: “This morning FC Barcelona have requested a retraction from the authors of the article, as well as the media outlet that published the story, in which the president of the club, Josep Maria Bartomeu, is accused of having signed the player Paulinho Bezerra as part of a deal which favoured the interests of his company.
“Given the false nature of this news story and the fact that it implies an illegal activity has taken place, if a retraction is not forthcoming both the club and the president as an individual will take the corresponding legal steps. These steps will include a specific request for damages incurred with regards to the image of the club.”
The statement added: “FC Barcelona will not tolerate false information to be published which may damage the club or those who form part of said club and it calls for professional responsibility from those who have made use of the story without corroborating the information published.”
Of course no legal action ever took place and the story remained out there ....
Now, with Evergrande having just signed a deal with ACS Group, Paulinho returns to China and the cash goes back to Barca. That's one hell of a coincidence for a player nobody else was interested in 12 months ago ....
A statement released by Barcelona read: “This morning FC Barcelona have requested a retraction from the authors of the article, as well as the media outlet that published the story, in which the president of the club, Josep Maria Bartomeu, is accused of having signed the player Paulinho Bezerra as part of a deal which favoured the interests of his company.
“Given the false nature of this news story and the fact that it implies an illegal activity has taken place, if a retraction is not forthcoming both the club and the president as an individual will take the corresponding legal steps. These steps will include a specific request for damages incurred with regards to the image of the club.”
The statement added: “FC Barcelona will not tolerate false information to be published which may damage the club or those who form part of said club and it calls for professional responsibility from those who have made use of the story without corroborating the information published.”
Of course no legal action ever took place and the story remained out there ....
Now, with Evergrande having just signed a deal with ACS Group, Paulinho returns to China and the cash goes back to Barca. That's one hell of a coincidence for a player nobody else was interested in 12 months ago ....
All respect to Paulinho. Last great worker in the game.
Kevin Nash taking notes furiously....
Tho can't help thinking there's something a little Brian Pillman about it all too...
