Barcelona audit report clears of its wrongdoings from smear campaign scandal

MADRID - FC Barcelona published an audit report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) on Monday, saying that the club did not run a smear campaign on social media.

The PWC had investigated Barcelona's relationship with PR company I3 ventures after various Spanish media reported in February that the firm was hired by the club to monitor social media accounts, which clean up the image of club president Josep Bartomeu and disparage critics of several Barca players.

The club statement said that the audit had concluded that FC Barcelona did not order "any defamation campaign" against anyone.

The statement also noted that "no corrupt behavior took place" in the contract between Barcelona and I3 ventures, which were "within the market value range."

Barcelona ended their contract with I3 Ventures shortly after the scandal was reported.