Barcelona fails to reach agreement with it’s players over salary reduction

There was no consensus between the board and the players as discussions on coronavirus-enforced pay cuts reached a dead-end, at least in the short term.

After a prolonged arbitration eventually ended without a settlement, Barcelona struggled to reach an agreement with players over a salary cut.

In the midst of a “significant financial problem” due to the coronavirus pandemic, the League giants are trying to reduce their wage bill.

Barca says that for the 2020-21 season, Covid-19 triggered a revenue decrease of more than EUR 300 million, with the club needing a wage change of EUR 191 million.

But the negotiations between Barca and the players’ representatives-as well as the party of corporate staff-ended without an agreement on Wednesday.

“FC Barcelona is releasing the following report on the status of wage agreements between the club, professional footballers’ representatives and the corporate worker community,” a statement released by the club said.

‘Today, 11 November, after several days of prolonged meetings and exhausting all options, the parties concerned ended talks without a definite agreement being reached.

We are in a position where it is up to the board of directors to make decisions that will help ease the financial difficulties created by the pandemic of Covid-19.

In monetary terms, for the 2020-21 season alone, the club faces a loss of revenue of EUR 300 m. A wage change of EUR 191 m must be rendered as well.

The negotiation process showed that both sides were genuinely able to come to an agreement, including the process of repayment of salaries that could be delayed in the short term. We’ve tackled things that seemed insurmountable previously.

“In order to reflect and determine if the proposals that remain on the table are acceptable, both parties decided to send each other until 23 November.”

Reports have indicated that Barca would like to slash the salaries of its highest earners by 30 percent, including Lionel Messi.

Barca is believed to have one of Europe’s biggest wage bills, with the club having left in the close season like Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal.

In La Liga, Ronald Koeman ‘s side is eighth, nine points behind the Real Sociedad leaders, but two fewer games have been played.

After the international break is over, on November 21, Barca will head to Atletico for a crunchy La Liga clash.