Laporta: "Barça must come before the best player in the world"
He said "we cannot mortgage part of the club's rights for half a century"
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has stated that the club's health must be prioritised over any individual, including the best player in the world. He explained that he is not willing to risk the future of the club, and stated that he inherited the club in a "terrible" state from the previous board.
"In order to abide by Financial Fair Play rules, Barça would have needed to agree to 'mortgage' some of the club's rights for half a century. When we needed to make a decision, we decided that we wouldn't be willing to do that for anybody. 'Mortgaging' Barça's rights for half a century, no way", he said with regards to the agreement announced yesterday between LaLiga and the investment fund CVC.
Almost 122 years of history
He added "The club has existed for almost 122 years, and it is therefore more important than any player - even the best player in the world. We have been lucky enough to see [Leo Messi] representing our club for many years, and we are eternally grateful to him for his service. The club must come before any player, coach, president or director", he repeated.
Laporta also spoke of the "terrible" state in which the club was inherited from the previous board, with Barça's "sporting wage bill representing 110% of the club's total income".
