A magistrate in Alicante has led a case surrounding Hercules CF and the Hercules Foundation amid allegations of a roughly two million euro transfer involving Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, known as Abde, who later joined Barcelona. The case was opened by Court Number Nine in Alicante under the direction of a magistrate, with the first steps triggered by a complaint from the Alicante Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. Investigations span several stakeholders on both sides, including officials tied to the club and the Foundation, as well as a central rural fund, with a timeline extending into mid-next year.
Hercules asserts that Abde’s funds were used to make tax payments
Investigations cover a total of eight individuals, including managers and executives from both organizations. Forensic sources identify members of Hercules’ board of directors and the Foundation secretary among those examined, along with other key personnel. In addition to the eight, a Tax Office technician who prepared the originating report has also been summoned to testify as a witness.
The Alicante magistrate notes that Carlos Parodi, Valentín Botella, and six others are under investigation
The incident generated swift reactions across the city, with the Alicante mayor urging a thorough inquiry and demanding accountability. The club has been asked to provide explanations and ensure compliance with the law, emphasizing the symbol of the city as a respected emblem to be preserved.
Prosecutor’s Office files a complaint against Hercules for asset collection
The Alicante Prosecutor’s Office filed the complaint following concerns raised by the Tax Office. The office contends that a debt of three and a half million euros, linked to the transfer, should have flowed into public coffers. Although a bankruptcy process affected creditors in 2011, the Treasury claims no euro had lined its pockets, even as two million euros were charged for the transfer.
Complainants allege that the transfer was routed through the Foundation rather than Hercules to obscure the flow of funds. They contend two million euros from the operation were credited to the Hercules Foundation, then disbursed through a series of checks—each for sixty thousand euros—spanning multiple months. In some cases, the final destination of funds cannot be clearly traced, a matter that forensic examination will aim to clarify.
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The dispute now centers on two competing narratives about the transfer’s purpose and its dispersal.
Opposing versions
Hercules and its representatives deny irregularity, stating that all money linked to the transfer went to the Treasury, Social Security, and club employees for day-to-day operations. Since the operation used the Hercules Foundation, they argue there was no concealment or improper maneuver. The transfer is linked to a player development pathway, with Abde belonging to the club’s youth system and later moving to Barcelona.
Conversely, the Public Ministry and Treasury contend that the funds should have gone toward reducing public debt, and using the Foundation could be an attempt to shield assets from enforcement. The bank involved in the operation, Central Rural Fund, is also scrutinized as the vehicle through which the money moved and checks were drawn.
aggravated crime
The prosecution frames the case as a potential aggravated form of asset misappropriation, a felony that can carry prison time along with fines when assets are hidden or improperly used during enforcement proceedings.
Abde, Hercules’ rising talent
The transfer of Abde to Barcelona FC took place at the end of August last year, with Barcelona paying two million euros to terminate the contract unilaterally. Hercules had secured an additional year in the contract and watched a year with fewer appearances. At nineteen, Abde was already recognized as a teenage prodigy who began with the first team on December 3, 2019, and quickly attracted attention from top clubs. His early development came through the club’s youth system, and Barcelona did not hesitate to cover the termination cost when opportunities arose.
The parties involved in Hercules and the Foundation will now be required to explain the revenue during those years and how the Tax Office’s concerns led to the ongoing proceedings, highlighting the scrutiny from public authorities.