Barça: Laporta responded to Bartomeu’s letter

The ping-pong continues between Joan Laporta and Josep Maria Bartomeu. After the publication by the former president of FC Barcelona of a letter following the accusations of his successor, the current boss of the Catalan club responded.

During a press conference on Monday, the 59-year-old leader reiterated his position, with supporting figures, on the club’s catastrophic financial situation upon his arrival, left according to him by his predecessor and at the origin of the failure of the signing of the new contract of Argentine striker Lionel Messi.

“The first thing we did when we arrived at the club was to ask for a loan of 80 million euros to cover the payroll and construction work at Camp Nou. We found ourselves in a difficult situation to renegotiate player contracts. Barca have a negative net worth of € 451million. There was a modus operandi that bypassed internal control. Our salaries represent 103% of the club’s total income. This is 20-25% more than our competitors. “

Despite this backdrop, Ronald Koeman’s players kicked off their 2021-2022 season with a victory against Real Sociedad (4-2), Sunday evening at Camp Nou, during the 1st day of La Liga.