• Sandro Rosell under pressure over Neymar signing
• Board meeting called for Thursday afternoon

Barcelona have called an “extraordinary” board meeting, fuelling Spanish media reports that the club president Sandro Rosell is under pressure to step down due to the lawsuit over Neymar’s transfer.

Barcelona have said in a statement that the meeting will take place on Thursday afternoon, a day after a judge agreed to hear a lawsuit brought by a Barcelona club member over the cost of Neymar’s signing.

A club member, Jordi Cases, alleges Rosell misappropriated funds by hiding the real cost of the transfer behind false contracts.

Rosell said earlier this week that the cost of €57m (then £44.6m) announced at Neymar’s presentation is correct.

Spanish media have speculated that Rosell may resign to save the club’s image ahead of what could be a lengthy legal battle.

• Barcelona
• European club football
• La Liga
• Neymar

theguardian.com