MADRID -- Former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has been acquitted of money laundering charges after spending nearly two years in prison.
Court officials in Madrid say there was not enough evidence for a guilty verdict on charges related to the sale of television rights for matches involving the Brazilian national soccer team.
Rosell was in custody for more than 21 months after being accused of misappropriating funds coming from the sale of TV rights and the organization of friendly matches featuring Brazil as well as from a sponsorship contract between Nike and Brazil.
Spanish prosecutors were seeking a six-year prison sentence for Rosell, who was also accused of forming part of a criminal organization. They said he helped launder nearly 20 million euros ($22 million) related to commissions for Brazil matches.
