Photo / APBarcelona's president presented a grim picture of the club's financial situation today, saying its debt had risen to 1.35 billion euros (NZ$2.28 billion). Joan Laporta blamed the previous administration of Josep Bartomeu for the club's "dramatic" situation that ultimately led to Lionel Messi's departure. The club's debt included almost 390 million euros (NZ$654 million) related to player salaries, Laporta said. More than 670 million euros (NZ$1.12 billion) was debts with banks, while some 40 million euros (NZ$67 million) was linked to membership losses. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic was 91 million euros (NZ$152 million), he said.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 16, 2021 17:37 UTC