Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed that the Super League is still needed to make football “more attractive and sustainable”, despite the collapse of the private division.
Twelve of Europe’s giants originally withdrew from the UEFA Champions League to run the money-spinning ESL, but a strong reaction from supporters saw nine of these clubs backtrack on the deal.
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Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are the three teams that are still pushing for the birth of this new league, and Blaugrana president Laporta believes that football must “go this way” in order to survive.
“If we want football to be more attractive and sustainable, we must go this route [with the European Super League], he said during an interview with La Vanguardia.
However, his perseverance in reviving the ESL is largely due to Barcelona’s serious financial situation. Laporta went on to acknowledge that the financial side of the club ‘is worse than expected’ and suggested drastic measures to balance the books.
Laporta drew Eric Garcia for Barcelona / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
“The club is worse than I expected, and I expected it to be in a difficult situation,” said Laporta.
“There are some contracts that significantly limit us. There are things that need to be explained and I will not rule out any action. Everything will be explained, because otherwise we would be helpers. The same people are always shown in the contracts.”
Laporta also lamented the ” obsolete salaries’ contracts awarded to players and suggested that they would ask most stars to make pay cuts “in favor of Barcelona”.
Laporta believes that ESL is still a necessity / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
“We have been with a group of outdated wages and we have to juggle,” he said.
“Existing contracts can be changed or restructured, and then there are drastic measures that we do not want to have to take. Nothing is ruled out in favor of Barcelona.
“Between salaries and repayments, we have a figure of 650 million, which is more than the club’s income. These salaries are obsolete.”
Despite all the financial hardship, Barça are still ready to offer superstar Lionel Messi a new contract, and they hope the Argentine will “say yes as soon as possible.”
Messi talks about a new agreement / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
“I would like Messi to say yes as soon as possible, it would help us in every way,” he said.
“We are in communication, day in and day out. He is excited and I am grateful for the desire he shows to stay.”
