Messi criticizes Barcelona over pay cut

Argentina superstar, Lionel Messi has criticized the FC Barcelona board for their handling of pay cut measures at the Nou Camp.

The Catalan club have found themselves in an unpleasant situation and are on the lookout for an ideal way to handle the financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic.

The regulations in Spain allow clubs to apply for an ERTE (Temporary Workforce Adjustment Plan) which translates to an imposition of a temporary pay cut of up 70% on their employees.

Messi has now taken to social media to voice his displeasure with Barcelona’s stance on the issue.

“Beyond the reduction of 70% of our salaries during the state of alarm, we are also going to make further contribution to ensure that the employees can continue to be paid 100% of their salaries for as long as this situation lasts,” the Argentine wrote on his Instagram account.

“A lot has been written and said about the football first team at FC Barcelona, when it comes to the players’ salaries during this state of alarm.

“First of all, we would like to clarify that we have always been willing to apply a wage cut, because we understand perfectly that this is an exceptional situation and we are ALWAYS the first to help the club when we have been asked to.

“Indeed, we have often done so on our own initiative in those moments in which we have considered it important or necessary.

“For that reason, we cannot help but be surprised by the fact that from within the club there are those trying to put us under the microscope or apply pressure for us to do something that we have always been clear that we would do,

“In fact, if an agreement has taken a few days to be reached it is simply because we were seeking a formula to help the club and also to help its employees in these very difficult times.

“If we did not speak publicly before, it was because our priority was to find real solutions that could truly help the club and also those who are going to be most affected by this situation,” he concluded.