Lionel Messi’s future might not be as clear as it seems to be. A complaint has been filed with the European Commission in an attempt to prevent Paris Saint-Germain from signing the Argentine.
The complaint, which we have gained exclusive access to, is based on financial facts, and claims that Financial Fair Play should rule PSG out of the running for Messi’s signature.
“PSG’s ratio with regards to Financial Fair Play is worse than Barcelona’s,” the statement sent to the Court of Appeals by Dr. Juan Branco on behalf of Barcelona’s members.
“In 2019/20, 99 percent of PSG’s income was used for salaries, whereas it was 54 percent for Barcelona.”
Those behind the complaint, which has been sent and is now pending, hope to block Messi’s move to PSG, claiming that competition has been distorted by the French club’s spending.
It states that Joan Laporta’s reason for not being able to renew Messi’s contract was that, even with the player taking a 50 salary reduction, Barcelona’s salary would have been 110 percent of the cap imposed by the European body and by LaLiga.
A race against time
The decision to block the move has to come before any contract is signed. Otherwise, it would only serve to drag things out.
PSG’s salaries
There was also a reference made to the signings PSG have already made this summer, having brought Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum previously. Those players join Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Marco Verratti on PSG’s books.
