Secure on the pitch, chaos off of it. That appears to be the mantra that has dogged Barcelona and threatened to tug them down beneath the waves lately.
Confronted with monetary worries and allegations of corruption, the membership have taken drastic measures to remain afloat whereas persevering with to take kick after kick to the ribs. The state of affairs – and their bid to repair it – stays fluid and delicate.
Barcelona just lately introduced the state of their funds for the yr ending June 30, 2024, offering an eye-opening glimpse into the peril that lurks in each nook and casts a shadow over the exploits of Hansi Flick’s slick successful machine.
The report included a number of totally different lawsuits the membership are presently concerned in, every of which threatens to depart an excellent bigger dent of their coffers.
The most recent, to the shock of some supporters, includes Sergio Aguero. The striker, who retired in 2021 after being recognized with a coronary heart situation, is claimed to be searching for a £2.5million payout three years on from hanging up his boots.
Barcelona stay concerned in a number of authorized disputes (pictured: membership president Joan Laporta)
The membership have been concerned in two police investigations and accused of corruption
Sergio Aguero is claimed to be demanding tens of millions after being pressured to retire prematurely
Restricted to only 5 appearances and a single aim, Aguero’s profession got here to an abrupt finish after he skilled chest pains throughout a match towards Alaves. This worrying well being scare was later found to be a cardiac arrhythmia.
In response to Mundo Deportivo, Aguero is eyeing up a hefty settlement for ending his employment early. On the time of his retirement, he nonetheless had a yr and a half left on his contract – which additionally included an £84million buyout clause.
The result of his declare stays unsure however Barcelona will hope to keep away from paying out any greater than they should in gentle of their monetary plight.
Mail Sport has taken a have a look at a number of of the membership’s different authorized complications…
‘Barcagate’
This explosive and damaging case led to the arrests of a number of senior figures at Barcelona – together with their former president, Josep Maria Bartomeu.
The membership have been accused of hiring the corporate I3 Ventures to conduct an internet smearing marketing campaign geared toward concentrating on Bartomeu’s political opponents and the then-board on the Nou Camp. A number of gamers have been additionally stated to have been criticised.
In February 2020, Cadena Ser’s El Larguero present revealed paperwork which allegedly confirmed Barcelona paying a 3rd occasion to break the repute of a number of people. I3 Ventures are stated to have been paid €1m (£837,215) per yr.
Particular person funds have been by no means for greater than €200,000 (£167,424) and got here from totally different departments of the membership. Barcelona vehemently denied the accusations.
Catalan police got a warrant by a decide to gather paperwork and different proof regarding doable misappropriation of membership funds on the Nou Camp. Bartomeu was detained as a part of the investigation however shortly launched.
Former membership president Josep Maria Bartomeu was arrested as a part of the ‘Barcagate’ saga
Cops got a warrant to go looking membership places of work to gather paperwork and proof
Negreira case
Barcelona additionally stay below investigation by the Prosecutor’s Workplace on fees of sporting corruption over alleged funds made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the previous vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees in Spain.
In response to El Mundo, the Spanish Civil Guard have concluded that Barcelona paid Negreira €7.5m (£6.2m) for refereeing recommendation they might not find. They’ve additionally stated they found €3m (£2.5m) within the accounts of Negreira’s spouse.
This quantity may additionally not be accounted for.
Present Barcelona president Joan Laporta defined on a number of events that the funds to Negreira have been used for refereeing reviews. The membership additionally claimed this was a typical follow for different groups in LaLiga on the time.
Once more, Barcelona have denied any wrongdoing.
Barcelona additionally stay below investigation by the Prosecutor’s Workplace on fees of sporting corruption over alleged funds made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira (pictured, left)
Nike
To the aid of many on the membership, this dispute has now been settled.
Final October, Barcelona filed a lawsuit towards sportswear big Nike, requesting that or not it’s recognised the Blaugrana had legally triggered their proper to withdraw from the profitable contract between each events as of June this yr.
In addition they claimed Nike had no declare to compensation regardless of tearing up the deal.
As a part of the ‘ranges’ out there to drag to salvage their dire monetary state of affairs, Barcelona briefly thought-about producing kits internally every season.
With a partnership over 20 years previous threatening to show ugly, Nike filed a request for precautionary measures in November that have been accredited. This August, each events then reached an settlement and the membership withdrew their lawsuit.
The dispute between Barcelona and sportswear big Nike has now been settled
Gabriel Milito
Former Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito has been in litigation with the membership for a number of years over the termination of his contract, which was resulted in August 2011.
After lawsuits and counter-suits have been exchanged, Milito requested a complete quantity of €6.9m (£5.7m) as compensation for unfair dismissal and damages.
The lawsuit was set to happen on January 30 however the two events reached a settlement settlement on July 18, days earlier than the most recent funds have been revealed.
Former Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito has been concerned in prolonged litigation with the membership
Ousmane Dembele
In response to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are additionally concerned in a authorized dispute with Scores Sports activities Administration, Ousmane Dembele’s representatives.
Dembele joined Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023 and the company filed a lawsuit in June claiming that Barcelona owes them €10m (£8.3m) in charges regarding their involvement as an middleman in a switch value simply over £40m.
Barcelona, nonetheless, have responded by opposing the declare.
