The controversial former club boss Josep Maria Bartomeu has announced his resignation at the crisis-ridden FC Barcelona, but the real news was completely different.
When Bartomeu resigned in Barcelona on Tuesday evening, he caused a stir when he reignited in introduction of European Super League. The Spaniard revealed that the traditional club agreed to participate in such a super league quickly before his resignation.
But that still has to be confirmed by the members with voting rights. The idea of a European Super League worth billions has s o far mainly aroused criticism and anger.
Bartomeu has made himself unpopular in Barcelona because he had fallen out with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. However, with his announcement, Bartomeu confirmed that there are indeed efforts for a Super League.
“Yesterday, the Board of Directors approved the acceptance of the requirements to participate in a future European Super League, a project promoted by the bug clubs in Europe.” Bartomeu said.
Bartomeu not mention that big clubs like Barca are claiming an increasing share of the income from the football business to the detriment of smaller clubs.
According to reports, the Super League is to be supported by investors with around five billions euros. In view of the financial issues that numerous football clubs in Great Britain and other countries are already having due to the coronavirus outbreak, this is causing outrage.
The reason for the resignation of Bartomeu and the whole board of the club moved into the background due to the excitement about the Super League.
“It would have been irresponsible to go through with the vote without taking the minimum security precautions with enough time,” Bartomeu said.
Bartomeu has been in Barcelona’s office since Sandro Rosell stepped down in early 2014. And now the vote is scheduled for November first and second and the authorities have refused to postpone it due to coronavirus outbreak.