La Liga president Javier Tebas acknowledges his concern about Barcelona’s financial situation but expresses confidence in the club’s ability to find a resolution. Barcelona faced significant financial challenges even before the COVID-19 pandemic, with years of risky financial decisions impacting their bank balance. The pandemic further exacerbated the situation, leading to a sharp decline in matchday revenue and difficulties in managing high player wages.
In response to the financial constraints, Barcelona implemented measures such as negotiating wage deferrals with top earners, selling portions of their TV and media shares for immediate financial relief, and reluctantly letting go of Lionel Messi on a free transfer due to budget constraints. While Joan Laporta’s presidency since 2021 has seen some improvement in addressing the club’s debts, Tebas acknowledges that there are still substantial issues to address.
Tebas expresses his worry but believes in Barcelona’s ability to navigate through their financial challenges. He highlights the necessity for the club to adapt and explore various options to overcome their problems. He recognizes that the solutions may range from more aggressive and unpopular measures to less controversial ones, and it will be the club’s leaders who must decide the best course of action for the institution’s future.
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When asked about Barcelona’s financial decline, Tebas attributes it to the club’s historical practice of pushing the salary limit set by La Liga to the maximum. The pandemic-induced reduction in income caught Barcelona off guard, as salaries remained high, and long-term contracts complicated the situation due to amortization issues. Tebas contrasts this with other clubs, citing Real Madrid’s more cautious approach in never reaching the maximum salary limit, providing them with greater flexibility to manage the crisis effectively.