Nadal loses to Almagro in Barcelona

World numero uno Rafael Nadal’s 11-year, 41-match winning streak at the Barcelona Open is over after a quarter-final defeat by fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, the score 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

Nadal looking to make it nine

World number one Rafael Nadal is into the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open after a 6-3 6-3 win over Croatian Ivan Dodig. Nadal has won the tournament eight times so far, his only defeat being on his debut in 2003 when he lost to compatriot Alex Corretja.

Barcelona hit with transfer ban

Barcelona have been given a 14-month transfer ban by Fifa for breaking the rules relating to the signing of international players under the age of 18 years.

Barcelona pay up

Barcelona have paid €13.5 million euros to the Spanish authorities after being charged with tax fraud over the signing of Neymar, although the Spanish champions insist they have not committed any offence. According to the club, “The aim is to cover eventual interpretations that could be given to the contracts drawn up in the operation to sign Neymar.”

Six telemarketers arrested in Barcelona

The Guardia Civil has arrested six tarot telemarketers in Barcelona for allegedly extorting money from their customers by threatening to publish their recordings, one resident of Almeria paying over €28,000 to avoid publication.