Dein erstes Forum » while insisting for a second time this week

BARCELONA, Spain -- The president of Spanish champion Barcelona resigned on Thursday to fight criminal accusations he misappropriated funds from the signing of Brazil forward Neymar. Chicago Blackhawks Gear . Sandro Rosell is facing a lengthy legal battle after a judge in Madrid ruled on Wednesday he will hear a lawsuit that alleges the real cost of Neymars transfer from Santos last year was hidden. "I dont want unfair attacks to negatively affect (the) management or the image of the club. This is why I think my time here has come to an end," Rosell said, while insisting for a second time this week that the deal to bring Neymar to Barcelona was legal. Neymar, who is the poster boy of Brazils team going into the World Cup on home soil in June, joined for 57 million euros (then $74 million) in June, according to Rosell. The legal action, which was brought by club member Jordi Cases, alleges the real cost of Neymars transfer was closer to 95 million euros ($129 million) and that false contracts hid the real value of the move. The criminal offence of misappropriation of funds is punishable by up to six years in prison. The 49-year-old Rosell, a former Nike executive, said confidentiality agreements prevented Barcelona from revealing the exact amount received by Santos, and the three companies -- DIS, TEISA and N&N -- who owned shares of his rights. The lawsuit does not accuse Rosell of taking money from the deal. The case prompted Barcelonas board to call an emergency meeting, and Rosell announced he was quitting after more than two hours of deliberations. The transfer controversy is a blot on the reputation of a Catalan football institution that has long prided itself on being "more than a club" and is owned by its more than 160,000 members, who elect a president and executive board. And Barcelona, while top of the Spanish league, enters a period of uncertainty as it seeks to retain its domestic title and win the Champions League for the first time since 2011. Rosell, who was elected in 2010, said vice-president Josep Bartomeu will take his place and complete the presidential term that expires in 2016. Under three full seasons of Rosells presidency, Barcelona maintained its winning run started under Joan Laporta with another two Spanish league trophies to go with the Champions League title in 2011 and the Copa del Rey in 2012. Rosell said he was leaving to reduce the stress on him and his family and lamented what he described as attacks from both outside and within the club, despite its continued success on the pitch. "Through this period of success, my family and I have suffered attacks that have made me wonder if being president means putting my family at risk and in anguish," Rosell said. As he resigned, Rosell trumpeted his role in ensuring "the best players in the world wear the Barcelona jersey." Rosell oversaw the signing of Neymar, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba, and Alex Song to further strengthen a team built around star forward Lionel Messi. Messi himself is going through his own legal difficulties. The Argentina forward and his father, Jorge, are waiting to hear if they will face charges in a tax fraud case after answering a judges questions last year about allegations they avoided 4 million euros ($5.3 million) in back taxes. Rosell steered Barcelona through uncertainty last season when treatment for throat cancer kept coach Tito Vilanova away for several months. Vilanova had to step down at the end of last season through ill health and Gerardo Martino was brought in to take charge. But while helping to establish Barcelona as Europes most successful team, Rosell also upset some members by putting paying sponsors on the front of Barcas shirts for the first time by striking deals with Qatar Foundation and Qatar Airways. Rosell has faced accusations about his business dealings away from the Camp Nou, with accusations in Brazil he illegally benefited from a friendly organized by his marketing company in 2008. By leaving his powerful job at Barcelona, Rosell also loses seats on influential committees within world football on FIFA and UEFA. Darryl Sutter Jersey . 1 goaltender tonight when they conclude a four-game road trip versus the Winnipeg Jets. Steve Larmer Jersey . -- Navy football player Will McKamey, who has been hospitalized since collapsing at practice three days ago, has died while in a coma. https://www.cheapblackhawks.com/347b-charlie-gardiner-jersey-blackhawks.html . Torres tells Spanish daily AS "in football you never know where you will be inside one month. Im going to work hard, thats all you can do with this last part of the season so important.In what is a sure sign that Canadian basketball is on the upswing, the Toronto Raptors worked out two Canadians on Wednesday ahead of this months NBA draft. Torontos Melvin Ejim and Quebec Citys Khem Birch went through their paces in front of the Raptors scouting staff. Birch, who played at UNLV and declared for the draft after his junior season, points to Vince Carter as one player who caught his eye growing up. "Vince is probably one of the best Raptors of all time. He had a big impact on all of us," said Birch. "Even though he wasnt Canadian, you thought he was Canadian because he played here and everyone embraced him." Birch is projected to be drafted late in the second round but that hasnt detterred him from making his best impression in workouts. Michel Goulet Jersey. "I dont look into mock drafts," added Birch, who has already worked out for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. "Those guys dont really know what goes on in a GMs mind. It only takes one team to like you and if you feel youre ready, youre ready." As for what he could bring to a potential NBA lineup, the 69 forward knows his strength is under his own basket, despite scoring a Big 12-record 48 points in a game this season. "I bring a defensive energy," he said. "Thats the type of player I am and thats why I left (school). I proved myself in college, I was defensive player twice." ' ' '