BARCELONA, Spain -- The president of Spanish champion Barcelona resigned on Thursday to fight criminal accusations he misappropriated funds from the signing of Brazil forward Neymar. Sandro Rosell is facing a lengthy legal battle after a judge in Madrid ruled on Wednesday he will hear a lawsuit that alleges the real cost of Neymars transfer from Santos last year was hidden. "I dont want unfair attacks to negatively affect (the) management or the image of the club. This is why I think my time here has come to an end," Rosell said, while insisting for a second time this week that the deal to bring Neymar to Barcelona was legal. Neymar, who is the poster boy of Brazils team going into the World Cup on home soil in June, joined for 57 million euros (then $74 million) in June, according to Rosell. The legal action, which was brought by club member Jordi Cases, alleges the real cost of Neymars transfer was closer to 95 million euros ($129 million) and that false contracts hid the real value of the move. The criminal offence of misappropriation of funds is punishable by up to six years in prison. The 49-year-old Rosell, a former Nike executive, said confidentiality agreements prevented Barcelona from revealing the exact amount received by Santos, and the three companies -- DIS, TEISA and N&N -- who owned shares of his rights. The lawsuit does not accuse Rosell of taking money from the deal. The case prompted Barcelonas board to call an emergency meeting, and Rosell announced he was quitting after more than two hours of deliberations. The transfer controversy is a blot on the reputation of a Catalan football institution that has long prided itself on being "more than a club" and is owned by its more than 160,000 members, who elect a president and executive board. And Barcelona, while top of the Spanish league, enters a period of uncertainty as it seeks to retain its domestic title and win the Champions League for the first time since 2011. Rosell, who was elected in 2010, said vice-president Josep Bartomeu will take his place and complete the presidential term that expires in 2016. Under three full seasons of Rosells presidency, Barcelona maintained its winning run started under Joan Laporta with another two Spanish league trophies to go with the Champions League title in 2011 and the Copa del Rey in 2012. Rosell said he was leaving to reduce the stress on him and his family and lamented what he described as attacks from both outside and within the club, despite its continued success on the pitch. "Through this period of success, my family and I have suffered attacks that have made me wonder if being president means putting my family at risk and in anguish," Rosell said. As he resigned, Rosell trumpeted his role in ensuring "the best players in the world wear the Barcelona jersey." Rosell oversaw the signing of Neymar, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba, and Alex Song to further strengthen a team built around star forward Lionel Messi. Messi himself is going through his own legal difficulties. The Argentina forward and his father, Jorge, are waiting to hear if they will face charges in a tax fraud case after answering a judges questions last year about allegations they avoided 4 million euros ($5.3 million) in back taxes. Rosell steered Barcelona through uncertainty last season when treatment for throat cancer kept coach Tito Vilanova away for several months. Vilanova had to step down at the end of last season through ill health and Gerardo Martino was brought in to take charge. But while helping to establish Barcelona as Europes most successful team, Rosell also upset some members by putting paying sponsors on the front of Barcas shirts for the first time by striking deals with Qatar Foundation and Qatar Airways. Rosell has faced accusations about his business dealings away from the Camp Nou, with accusations in Brazil he illegally benefited from a friendly organized by his marketing company in 2008. By leaving his powerful job at Barcelona, Rosell also loses seats on influential committees within world football on FIFA and UEFA. Air Jordan 4 Retro Ireland .ca. The NHL Play of the Year showdown kicks off with some slick moves going head-to-head with a combination of soft hands and endless patience. Cheap Jordans Ireland . - Justin Turner is at his best with runners in scoring position, and he delivered again in a big spot for the Los Angeles Dodgers. http://www.airjordan4ireland.com/. Smiths former Atlanta teammates were glad to hang on for an ugly win. Cheap Air Jordan 4 For Sale . -- Michael Frazier II scored 21 points, Dorian Finney-Smith added 11 and No. Air Jordan 4 Ireland Online . The Tiger-Cats announced on Friday the linebacker has signed a new contract with the team through the 2016 season.KINGSTON, Ont. - Tyler Hills power-play goal late in the second period held up as the winner as the Ottawa 67s rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Kingston Frontenacs Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action.Travis Barron also scored on a power play for the 67s (15-13-2), tying the game 1-1 at 8:09 of the middle frame.Samuel Schutt opening the scoring for the Frontenacs (13-13-4), who dropped their fourth straight game.Ottawa goaltender Leo Lazarev stopped 30 shots in the victory. Kingstons Lucas Peressini made 32 saves to shoulder the loss.The 67s were 2 for 8 on thhe power play while the Frontenacs failed to score on six chances with the man advantage.dddddddddddd---ATTACK 6 WHALERS 3OWEN SOUND, Ont. — Chris Bigras had two goals and three assists and Owen Sound skaters scored five times on the power play to double up Plymouth.Kyle Platzer scored a goal and helped on two more for Owen Sound (14-9-7), and Daniel Milne and Jaden Lindo also scored.Will Bitten had a goal and two assists for the Whalers (10-18-3), who have dropped their last seven games. Mitch Jones and Matt Mistele rounded out the Plymouth offence. ' ' '