The sponsorship of DR Congo and Barça could end up in court

BarcelonaBarcelona's controversial sponsorship contract with the Democratic Republic of Congo could end up in court. On Monday, the National Financial Prosecutor's Office of Monaco confirmed to The Team An investigation has been opened into corruption, money laundering, and misappropriation of public funds related to an agreement with the same characteristics as Barcelona's deal with AS Monaco. The contract with the Monegasque club, signed in June 2025, reached the courts after a complaint filed in early September by lawyer Hervé Diakiese on behalf of two Congolese citizens residing in France. According to the same source, the complainants believe the contract with Barça could be part of the same controversial financial strategy and are not ruling out taking the agreement to Spanish courts. However, Barcelona's offices deny any connection and explain that they closed the deal "directly" with the country's government and that the funds come from "public coffers." AC Milan could also end up in court over the same transaction.

The indictment highlights the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement with Monaco, and also points out that the use of public funds could indicate embezzlement. Therefore, the lawsuit is directed at the Minister of Sports of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Didier Budimbu, who is allegedly responsible for sealing the agreement without a bidding process or clear validation in official documents. The agreement with Monaco is estimated at around €5 million over three years. The deal with Barça was for €10 million annually for four seasons. In return, all of Barça's professional teams display the emblem.DR Congo - Heart of Africa"on the back of the training shirts and the creation of the "House of the DRC" has been agreed upon once the Camp Nou is ready.

In response to the opening of the case, the Monaco club has assured that it took all possible precautions before sealing the collaboration agreement. Budimbu has assured the regularity of the procedure and concluded that it was done "in accordance with government regulations." But, despite the defense of the parties, the magistrates of Monaco have determined that there is sufficient evidence to justify opening an investigation to determine its legality. The Barça case, which has so far been the only agreement with the country, it remains to be seen whether the complainants decide to escalate the investigation into the other two closed sponsorship cases.

Barça's agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo was heavily criticized by a large part of the Barça community, as it is a country that has no respect whatsoever for human rights. current campaign electoral. Candidates Víctor Font and Marc Ciria, as well as the now-discarded pre-candidate Xavier Vilajoana, have repeatedly mentioned this agreement.