Barcelona have never "done anything" to "obtain some type of sporting advantage," the club's president Joan Laporta said on Monday amid investigations into payments made to a former refereeing chief. Last month Spanish prosecutors charged the Catalan club with corruption after payments of more than 7.3 million euros ($7.8 million) to a company owned by a former refereeing chief were uncovered earlier this year.

Barcelona say they paid Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former referee and ex-vice president of the refereeing committee of the Spanish football federation (CTA) between 1994 and 2018, for reports and advice related to refereeing.

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The club "has never done anything with the goal or intention of altering the competition to achieve some type of sporting advantage," Laporta told a news conference called to discuss the affair.

The allegations of wrongdoing are part of a "smear campaign" against the Catalan side who are currently top of La Liga, he added.

As well as the club and Enriquez Negreira, two of the club's former presidents, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, are facing the same charge of corruption.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has said Spanish football is enduring its "worst" ever moment because of the refereeing corruption case involving Barcelona.

"The reputation of our football is at stake. I am ashamed. We have no explanation from Barcelona," he added last month.

Xavi's Barcelona play yet another goalless draw in La Liga

A subdued Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw at Getafe on Sunday, leaving them 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Champions Madrid beat Cadiz on Saturday to cut back Barcelona's lead, and with nine games remaining it seems highly unlikely they will catch Barcelona -- but Xavi Hernandez's side are limping over the line.

Barcelona drew 0-0 at home against Girona on Monday and followed that up with a second consecutive bore draw, the team still wallowing after their Copa del Rey semi-final thrashing by Madrid earlier in April.

The one positive for Barca was a 22nd clean sheet of the season in the top flight, with Getafe, 15th, not creating much danger.

Barcelona have never "done anything" to "obtain some type of sporting advantage," the club's president Joan Laporta said on Monday amid investigations into payments made to a former refereeing chief.

Barcelona have never "done anything" to "obtain some type of sporting advantage," the club's president Joan Laporta said on Monday amid investigations into payments made to a former refereeing chief. Last month Spanish prosecutors charged the Catalan club with corruption after payments of more than 7.3 million euros ($7.8 million) to a company owned by a former refereeing chief were uncovered earlier this year. Barcelona say they paid Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former referee and ex-vice president of the refereeing committee of the Spanish football federation (CTA) between 1994 and 2018, for reports and advice related to refereeing. ALSO READ: Mikel Arteta confident of Arsenal not losing track in title race after successive draw in Premier League The club "has never done anything with the goal or intention of altering the competition to achieve some type of sporting advantage," Laporta told a news conference called to discuss the affair. The allegations of wrongdoing are part of a "smear campaign" against the Catalan side who are currently top of La Liga, he added. As well as the club and Enriquez Negreira, two of the club's former presidents, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, are facing the same charge of corruption. La Liga president Javier Tebas has said Spanish football is enduring its "worst" ever moment because of the refereeing corruption case involving Barcelona. "The reputation of our football is at stake. I am ashamed. We have no explanation from Barcelona," he added last month. Xavi's Barcelona play yet another goalless draw in La Liga A subdued Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw at Getafe on Sunday, leaving them 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Champions Madrid beat Cadiz on Saturday to cut back Barcelona's lead, and with nine games remaining it seems highly unlikely they will catch Barcelona -- but Xavi Hernandez's side are limping over the line. Barcelona drew 0-0 at home against Girona on Monday and followed that up with a second consecutive bore draw, the team still wallowing after their Copa del Rey semi-final thrashing by Madrid earlier in April. The one positive for Barca was a 22nd clean sheet of the season in the top flight, with Getafe, 15th, not creating much danger.

Barcelona have never 'done anything to 'obtain some type of sporting advantage, confirms Joan Laporta

Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves was taken into police custody over sexual assault charges on Friday in the Spanish city of Barcelona.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Brazil defender was called to the Barcelona police station where he was 'taken into custody' and will now be questioned by a judge, according to the spokesperson of&nbsp;Catalonia's regional police force.&nbsp;

It is unclear whether Alves will be let go after the hearing or will remain in police custody.&nbsp;

A woman had previously claimed that Alves sexually assaulted her at a city club last month.&nbsp;

According to Spanish media, the woman alleged that Alves touched her inappropriately beneath her underwear without her consent when she was with friends at the&nbsp;nightclub.&nbsp;

The incident took place on the intervening nights of December 30-31. Alves had been holidaying in Barcelona after returning from Qatar.&nbsp;

The 39-year-old defender has denied the allegations, despite confirming that he was present at the same club as the woman.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-barcelona-and-brazil-defender-dani-alves-under-investigation-for-sexual-assault-court-confirms-551169">Read more:&nbsp;Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves under investigation for sexual assault, court confirms</a>

"I was dancing and having a good time without invading anyone's space. I don’t know who this lady is...How could I do that to a woman? No."

After the allegations were reported, Catalonia's&nbsp;Supreme Court opened an investigation into the matter, earlier this month.&nbsp;

Alves was&nbsp;part of the Brazilian squad that made it to the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Though Alves didn't get a lot of playing time, he became the oldest player to play at the World Cup when he captained the&nbsp;Seleção against&nbsp;Cameroon.&nbsp;

He also holds the record for the most&nbsp;trophies (43) won by a football player. Messi is behind him with 42 trophies to his name.&nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)

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Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves was taken into police custody over sexual assault charges on Friday in the Spanish city of Barcelona. The Brazil defender was called to the Barcelona police station where he was 'taken into custody' and will now be questioned by a judge, according to the spokesperson of Catalonia's regional police force.

Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves was taken into police custody over sexual assault charges on Friday in the Spanish city of Barcelona. The Brazil defender was called to the Barcelona police station where he was 'taken into custody' and will now be questioned by a judge, according to the spokesperson of Catalonia's regional police force. It is unclear whether Alves will be let go after the hearing or will remain in police custody. A woman had previously claimed that Alves sexually assaulted her at a city club last month. According to Spanish media, the woman alleged that Alves touched her inappropriately beneath her underwear without her consent when she was with friends at the nightclub. The incident took place on the intervening nights of December 30-31. Alves had been holidaying in Barcelona after returning from Qatar. The 39-year-old defender has denied the allegations, despite confirming that he was present at the same club as the woman. Read more: Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves under investigation for sexual assault, court confirms "I was dancing and having a good time without invading anyone's space. I don’t know who this lady is...How could I do that to a woman? No." After the allegations were reported, Catalonia's Supreme Court opened an investigation into the matter, earlier this month. Alves was part of the Brazilian squad that made it to the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Though Alves didn't get a lot of playing time, he became the oldest player to play at the World Cup when he captained the Seleção against Cameroon. He also holds the record for the most trophies (43) won by a football player. Messi is behind him with 42 trophies to his name. Read more: 'Europe is full of racists'- Dani Alves makes shocking admission regarding the European football circuit (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Brazil defender Dani Alves detained over sexual assault allegations

Three attackers who were shot dead in Cambrils on the night of the attack in Barcelona last week were caught on a petrol station&#39;s surveillance camera close to the town just hours before the attack.

According to Catalan daily Ara, which published the footage on Wednesday (August 22), the attackers visited the same gas station four times that day.

The daily reported they were regular clients and used to charge their pre-pay cards at the same petrol station.

On the day of the attack they purchased bread, omelettes and lighters, the daily said.

A van ploughed into crowds of holidaymakers and local residents on Barcelona&#39;s crowded Las Ramblas boulevard last Thursday (August 17), killing 13 people. Two others were killed during the driver&#39;s getaway and in a separate attack in Cambrils.

A dozen Islamist militants suspected of involvement in the plot were either killed or arrested. 
&nbsp;

The attackers were caught on a petrol station's surveillance camera close to the town just hours before the attack

Three attackers who were shot dead in Cambrils on the night of the attack in Barcelona last week were caught on a petrol station's surveillance camera close to the town just hours before the attack. According to Catalan daily Ara, which published the footage on Wednesday (August 22), the attackers visited the same gas station four times that day. The daily reported they were regular clients and used to charge their pre-pay cards at the same petrol station. On the day of the attack they purchased bread, omelettes and lighters, the daily said. A van ploughed into crowds of holidaymakers and local residents on Barcelona's crowded Las Ramblas boulevard last Thursday (August 17), killing 13 people. Two others were killed during the driver's getaway and in a separate attack in Cambrils. A dozen Islamist militants suspected of involvement in the plot were either killed or arrested.

Barcelona suspects filmed making purchase hours before attack