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Official: Sandro Rosell Steps Down as FC Barcelona President Due to "Neymar Case"

Sandro Rosell has officially quit amid controversy surrounding a legal case involving the signing of Neymar from Santos FC.

David Ramos

Confirming earlier reports, Sandro Rosell will resign from his post as president of FC Barcelona. While nothing has been proven yet, accusations of shady dealings involving the transfer of Neymar from Santos FC have prompted Rosell to step down from his post.

Rosell will be replaced by former VP Josep Maria Bartomeu until the 2016 elections. Bartomeu could himself be in hot water according to some reports, but for the moment he is all-clear.

Rosell oversaw a presidency that won titles and earned steady revenue, but was frequently criticized for a lack of transparency, over-commercialization (including the first commercial sponsor on the shirt), rivalries with influential figures like ex-coaches Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff, and treatment of players such as Eric Abidal and Lionel Messi.

It remains to be seen if Bartomeu will operate like Rosell or do the job his own way. Barcelona fans are anxious to see if the change will be for the better.

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