Slogans were painted on the pavements and areas surrounding Laporta's home which included the phrases, "I am going to kill you" and "Our home is the Nou Camp and yours is a tomb."

Police named the man they detained on Tuesday as Manuel Santos.

"This is a sad situation but I would just like to thank the police for all the work they have put in to resolve this case," Laporta said.

"I never lost any sleep over the matter but, at the same time, I was a bit worried because it was an unpleasant situation," added the Catalan lawyer.

At the time of the threats, Barcelona were in the midst of a playing crisis and fans of the Catalan club were regularly baying for the resignations of Laporta and Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard.

However, since the start of the year, they have recovered their form, have won their last five games and climbed to fourth place in the Spanish first division.

The police did not say whether Santos had any affiliation to Barca's notorious Boixos Nois hooligan element, who have been trenchant critics of Laporta and were among the original suspects for the attack.