
Audio By Carbonatix
Barcelona have begun a process to reduce the pay of players, coaches and non-sporting staff to adapt to the huge losses suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a club source said on Wednesday.
Staff have been notified by the club of the need to reduce costs after posting a loss of 97 million euros ($113.98 million) in their annual financial report, released on Monday.
The employees, including players, have been asked to nominate a representative over the next two weeks to represent them in the negotiations over the changes to their salaries, added the source.
Barca have been forced to hold all home matches without spectators since the pandemic began in March, destroying revenue from ticket sales. Income from merchandising and stadium and museum tours has also been badly affected by a huge drop in tourism to the city.
Barca's accounts on Wednesday made for grim reading, showing a 14% drop in revenue from the previous year and the doubling of their net debt to 488 million euros.
The club enacted a temporary pay cut of 70% at the end of March in the height of the pandemic, lasting the duration of Spain's national state of alarm, which ended in June.
Barca's financial troubles also led them to spend the close season lightening the biggest wage bill in European football, offloading Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal for next to nothing, while selling Arthur Melo for 72 million euros and Nelson Semedo for 30 million.
They only brought in three players, Miralem Pjanic, Francisco Trincao and Sergino Dest for a combined 112 million euros.
They failed to make any extra additions before the transfer window shut on Monday, despite showing interest in Manchester City defender Eric Garcia and Olympique Lyonnais forward Memphis Depay.
Latest Stories
-
Focus on capacity, not connections in Damang lease decision – Paa Kwesi Schandorf
9 minutes -
Teen defender Eric Mensah undergoes trial at Malaga CF after standout ROC Cup display
11 minutes -
Journalism out loud: Why silence is no longer an option
11 minutes -
5,000 miners stranded in Ahafo-Ano North as alleged NAIMOS operatives take over site
18 minutes -
GMTFcare rollout begins at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital to transform patient support
25 minutes -
Leicester lose appeal against points deduction
34 minutes -
Telecel hosts Women 100 Power Connect 2026 on reciprocity in leadership
42 minutes -
Ken Ofori-Atta released from ICE detention after judicial order — Lawyer confirms
44 minutes -
Women in PR Ghana unveils Top 10 PR Women for 2025
49 minutes -
Tourism Minister advocates expansion of Vodza Regatta in Volta region to boost coastal tourism
59 minutes -
Gradual recovery signals shift in fortunes of Tema Oil Refinery
1 hour -
Greece to ban social media for under-15s from next year
1 hour -
Volta Chiefs condemn EOCO over alleged disregard for Court ruling in Kwamigah-Atokple case
1 hour -
We need collective action to advance sustainability in Ghana and Africa – Deloitte Tax Partner
1 hour -
Imperial College promotes science communication and Africa–UK innovation links
1 hour