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Former Barcelona President Sandro Rosell Arrested As Part of FBI Investigation

Former FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell and his wife, Marta Pineda, have been detained by Spanish police as part of a joint FBI probe of money laundering in football.

Police raided offices and homes in Catalonia as an investigation alleges impropriety over the sale of the Brazil national team’s image rights. Authorities say nearly €15m may have been laundered.

Before becoming Barça's president in 2010, Rosell was the head of Nike Brazil, which manufactures uniforms for the national team. He also had close relationships with the former president of the Brazilian FA, Ricardo Teixeira, who is also under investigation.