Josep Maria Bartomeu is among those who have been arrested on Monday morning as the Catalan police force raided club offices, say reports.

According to Football Espana, it is in connection to the case which has become known as ‘Barçagate’ – in which the club hired a third company to defame their rivals, both inside and outside the club, in the media.

Catalan police force Mossos raided the club’s facilities on Monday morning and they have confirmed that arrests have been made in relation to the case but have not disclosed who has been among those to be detained.

Bartomeu has not been involved with the Catalan giants since he and his board resigned from their posts in October last year, triggering a new set of presidential elections, and he is said to have been arrested at his home this morning.

CEO Oscar Grau, head of legal Roman Gomez Ponti and Jaume Masferrer – the former right-hand man of Bartomeu – are also reported to have been among those arrested by the police.

The ‘Barçagate’ story emerged in relation to reported documents that were said to show the inner workings and financial transactions of the club, which caused a stir in the Spanish media.