"Someone at the club has it twisted, the players were prepared to take pay cuts"

Barcelona have had a difficult start to the week after Leo Messi, as captain of the team, published a statement clearing up the players' blame in face of the COVID-19 crisis. 

After the doubts that had been thrown by the alleged unwillingness of the players to take wage cuts, the Argentine and his colleagues denied and were willing to collaborate with the reduction of 70% of their salary and to address the economic crisis that will result from the current health emergency.

Josep Maria Bartomeu, president of the club, analyzed in 'Catalunya Ràdio' this Tuesday what the captains said. "There are people within the club who have twisted. There has been an absolute predisposition of the players," he said to settle the matter.

The club president insisted: "It is a complex situation. Since March 14 there has been a significant drop in income due to the coronavirus. It is time to take decisions and measures. The 70% reduction will last as long as the alert lasts, whether it is 40 days or 60".

Bartomeu insisted that the viability of the club is the priority and stressed that even he will make sacrifices: "The important thing for us is that Barça continues to move forward, that it has viability and that we get out of the crisis. The ERTE (Spain's temporary lay-offs) will affect in function to the dedication of each one in the club. The committee has been talking for two days and I do not know how the negotiations are going, but the ERTE will be done. I will also help Barça and collaborate. Everybody wants to collaborate".

The president recognised the player's cooperation on the matter: "14 million euros come from football and other two million of the rest of professional disciplines every month. These 16 million are not enough to cover the salaries of all Barça employees. The figure represents 5.75% of the annual gross salary. We don't have the museum, the shops or the schools open and all that adds up to a very significant figure every month".