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. Dan Bailey Jersey .com) - Australian Open champion Li Na, former Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova and former world No. Kyle Rudolph Jersey . Jones, from Winnipeg, built a 3-0 advantage after three ends by scoring two in the second and one in the third. 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The Maple Leafs also hope to rebound tonight after losing a 3-2 decision to Arizona on Tuesday. That snapped a three-game winning streak for Toronto and was the clubs first regulation road loss of the season (3-1-1). James Reimer made his second straight start in net, ending with 30 saves. However, he was beaten for a pair of goals in the first period and Toronto trailed by three before getting power-play tallies from Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson. Terrible start and we just werent able to overcome it, said Toronto head coach Randy Carlyle. It seemed like we were in neutral and they were in third gear. Phil Kessel assisted on both goals, giving him a pair of tallies and six assists over a four-game point streak. He is tied for third in the NHL with 16 points. Bernier has faced the Avalanche just once before as a starter while also making a relief appearance against them. The Maple Leafs picked up their second straight win over the Avalanche with a 3-2 overtime victory at home on Oct. 14. Kessel scored the winner 34 seconds into the extra frame and Reimer finished with 22 saves. Toronto has won three straight in Colorado. Varlamov stopped 37 shots for the Avs in the teams 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday night. Stunned in the third period last time out, the Colorado Avalanche hope to rebound on Thursday night and avoid a fourth straight setback as they welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to Pepsi Center. The Avs hosted the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday and went up 2-0 on first- period goals by John Mitchell and Jamie McGinn, but the Canucks responded with five straight tallies, including four in the thhird period to hand Colorado a 5-2 loss.dddddddddddd Semyon Varlamov stopped the first 26 shots he faced, but ended up with 32 saves while allowing all five Vancouver goals. The loss dropped Colorado to 0-2-1 in its past three games and 3-6-5 on the season. I mean third period we are up a goal and end up losing 5-2. Its unacceptable to say the least, Mitchell said. We have to be better, we have to find a way. They come out and score a goal early, its 2-2. We cant come out and completely fall apart, you know, shut it down. We have to learn to respond and come out and play hard after that. We just didnt do anything and we certainly didnt help Varly. Colorado also lost defenseman Brad Stuart to a hamstring injury in the game and the ailment could sideline him for the next few weeks. Head coach Patrick Roy has opted to rest Varlamov tonight and will give Reto Berra his fourth straight of the campaign and first since Oct. 21. Berra has never before faced Toronto. Maple Leafs (13PTS) at Avalanche (11PTS) - 9PM TOR is 1-0-0 vs COL this season, OTW at home TOR has won 3 straight in COL COL (3-6-5): 0-2-1 past 3 games, 2GF in each game, 2/12 on PP leagues best PK (93%), 29/29 past 7 games (2-2-3) 0-5 in OT/SO this season Iginla 2A vs TOR this season Mitchell (1G, 1A) past 2 games TOR (6-5-1): 3-1-1 on the road, 10GA, 19/21 on PK lost last game, longest losing streak of season is 2 5-0-0 when scoring first Bernier 0-1-0 vs COL in his career, 1.81GAA, .939sv% Kessel (2G, 6A) 4 game PT streak, 6G, 1A past 6GP vs COL Career game 599 for Kessel tonight Projected Maple Leafs Lines: Winnik - Kadri - Kessel van Riemsdyk - Bozak - Clarkson Komarov - Holland - Santorelli Panik/Frattin - Carrick - Ashton Phaneuf - Franson Rielly - Polak Gardiner - Robidas Percy Bernier Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '