SAO PAULO – Barcelona President Sandro Rosell has been accused in Brazil of illegally benefiting from an exhibition organized by his marketing company in 2008.
Prosecutors say the Ailanto sports marketing company he owns was hired to organize the Brazil vs. Portugal exhibition without a proper bidding process. They also say a false document was used to give the company the contract for the match.
Prosecutors say Ailanto received $4 million to organize the match in Brasilia, the nation's capital.
Rosell, Barcelona's president since July 2010, could face up to eight years in prison in Brazil if he is charged and found guilty.
Local media says Rosell's lawyer in Brazil has dismissed the accusations and called them "irresponsible."
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