( CNN ) -- Barcelona announced an internal investigation Tuesday after reports in Spain claimed that the club had commissioned detective agencies to spy on a number of their star players . The Catalan giants confirmed on their official website that the club spent a total of 3.1 million euros ( $ 4.04 million ) on `` espionage '' between 2008 and 2010 . The money went to the now defunct Metodo 3 agency and another company called the Intelligence Bureau and Cyber Experience . Barcelona said that `` legal action will be taken to preserve the image of the club , the privacy of its employees and the legacy of the institution . '' Spokeman Toni Freixa added : `` FC Barcelona wants to know 'who was spied on and why . ' `` The alleged activities took place under the presidency of Joan Laporta , who was at the helm from 2003-2010 , one of the most successful spells for the famous Spanish club . Current president Sandro Rosell , a fierce critic of Laporta , succeeded him in June 2010 , winning 60 % of a vote among Barcelona club members . The relationship between the two has remained cool since Rosell was elected , but on the pitch under former coach Pep Guardiola and his successor Tito Vilanova , the triumphs have continued . Reports on the Spanish website El Confidencial , claimed Metodo 3 trailed defender Gerard Pique and his pop star wife Shakira in 2010 -- following them to a concert to log their activities . Former stars Samuel Eto ' o and Brazil 's Ronaldinho were also believed to have been monitored in the past . Blog : Will Guardiola return to Barcelona ? The allegations come as Barcelona has suffered a mini slump in form , twice losing to rivals Real Madrid and having to cope with the absence of Vilanova , who is battling cancer . Rosell told the official website that the board had `` absolute confidence '' in Vilanova and were supporting him as he undergoes chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York . `` His recovery is our priority and I 'd consider this season a success if he fully recovers from his illness . He will not leave even if it costs us every single title . `` He 's encouraged , and he 's eager to return . '' A tentative return date of the end of March has been set by the Spanish league leaders , who are trailing AC Milan 2-0 from the away leg of their Champions League last 16 tie , another disappointing recent defeat . `` In the event that Barca defeat AC Milan , the manager could be on the bench for the away leg of the Champions League quarter finals , '' Rosell told gathered reporters .
Barcelona admitted it spent $ 4 million on ` ` espionage '' from 2008 - 2010 . It went to private detective firms in Spain . Barcelona launch internal investigation to determine ` ` who was spied on and why '' Since coach Javier Vilanova underwent cancer , results have been indifferent .