Barcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu gives a press conference during the presentation of Barcelona's new coach Quique Setien in Barcelona on Jan 14, 2020. (LLUIS GENE / AFP)

MADRID - FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Tuesday denied that the club had paid a company in order to improve his image while at the same time damaging the image of players such as Gerard Pique, Leo Messi and other personalities.

Barca did not contract services to damage the reputation of anybody and we will defend ourselves against those who are attacking us

Josep Maria Bartomeu, President, FC Barcelona

The accusations of Barcelona's relationship with a company called '13 Ventures' was broken by Spanish radio network 'Cadena Ser' on Monday, but speaking at an event in Barcelona, Bartomeu said it was false.

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"There must be no doubt in the minds of anybody that Barca has never hired any company to damage the reputation of any player, former player, politician, president or ex-president. It's false... Barcelona has never hired anyone to damage the reputation of anybody," said the club president, adding that Barcelona were studying legal action in the face of the accusations.

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He admitted Barca had worked with 13 Ventures to improve the club's image on social media, but insisted that "Barca did not contract services to damage the reputation of anybody and we will defend ourselves against those who are attacking us," and he confirmed the club would be ending its contract with the company.