End of internal tensions at Barça? This Monday, Lionel Messi published a scathing message, in which he indicated that the players of Barcelona had agreed to lower their wages by 70%, to help their club to overcome the economic crisis, caused by the pandemic of Covid-19. In the same letter, the Argentinian hinted that his management had deliberately allowed rumors to spread, according to which the Blaugrana players would refuse to lower their emoluments: “It is not surprising to us that inside the club, some try to shine the spotlight on us and try to put pressure on us to do something that we have always intended to do. “
“This proposal came from the captains”
Barça: the 8 players announced for the start this summer+9–
Josep Maria Bartomeu and Lionel Messi in 2015Credit Photo – Icon Sport
A new pass of arms between Messi and his management, after the controversial episode of the communications company employed by Bartomeu in February. But the latter wanted to put out the fire on the question of wages, in an interview with Sport: “From the first moment, Messi said that it had to be done (to lower wages by 70%). It is a gesture that shows his attachment to the club. This proposal came from the captains. “
Bartomeu then returned to the Pulga critics against him: “Maybe they were bothered by things that people inside and outside the club said. They don’t have all the information, but the negotiations were only led by Oscar Grau (general manager of Barça) and me, and we didn’t say anything. “
Finally, the president of the culated club justified the use of ERTEs (Expedientes de Regulación Temporal de Empleo or Temporary employment regulation files), a device allowing a company to suspend contracts for a fixed period, period during which it may not pay its employees: “We would be irresponsible administrators if we had not applied this reduction. The economic situation is difficult and all measures had to be put in place to protect the club. Barça was not in danger. It is the club that settles the most in the world and will continue to do so, but the expenses had to be adapted to the income, now reduced. “
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