In this Aug 19, 2020 photo, Barcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu removes his facemask during his official presentation at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. (JOSEP LAGO / AFP)

MADRID - Former FC Barcelona President, Josep Maria Bartomeu was arrested on Monday morning along with the club's General Manager, Oscar Gray and the former director to the Presidency, Jayme Masferrer.

The arrests happened as Catalan regional police (Mossos d'Esquadra) searched the offices at the Camp Nou Stadium as part of an investigation into an affair known as "Barcagtate".

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This scandal involves the possible illegal use of club funds which were diverted to pay for online campaigns aimed at damaging the image of opponents to Bartomeu, including players.

This operation happens less than a week before Barca are due to hold elections to choose a new president to succeed Bartomeu on March 7.