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Barças is threatened with bankruptcy
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ALBERT GEA / REUTERS
Due to the corona pandemic, FC Barcelona has slipped even deeper into the red than feared.
According to media reports, the club's total debt for the 2019/2020 accounting period will amount to 1.17 billion euros.
Of this, 730.67 million euros are short-term liabilities, as the newspapers "AS" and "El Mundo" report.
The main reasons for the high level of debt are losses from the corona crisis, as well as expensive player transfers and high player salaries.
For example, FC Barcelona is in the chalk with other clubs because of outstanding transfer payments with 196 million euros - including Philippe Coutinho, who moved from Liverpool to Barcelona in January 2018.
The club also spent more than 100 million euros each on Ousmane Dembélé (came from Dortmund in 2018) and Antoine Griezmann (from Atlético in 2020).
In addition, 266 million euros would have to be repaid to banks by the end of June.
In terms of revenue, Barcelona are still way ahead of the rest of Europe.
However, compared to the previous year, sales decreased by 125.7 million to 715.1 million euros.
Only Manchester United shows an even bigger drop in sales in world football.
»El Mundo« even writes that Barça is »on the verge of bankruptcy.«
Barça face further debt
Already since autumn there have been warnings that the traditional club could face bankruptcy.
Negotiations between the club and the players about a wage waiver of 190 million euros have not yet led to any result.
After the resignation of club president Josep Bartomeu, the election of a new leadership is pending.
It was originally planned for last Sunday, but has been postponed due to the corona restrictions.
The corona crisis could also continue to burden the finances.
According to "El Mundo", Barcelona is assuming stadium revenues of 56 million euros in 2021.
From February, however, 25 percent of the places would have to be admitted again, from May even 50 percent.
In terms of sport, things are currently not going well under Dutch coach Ronald Koeman.
After about half of the season, the Barça team with national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and six-time world footballer Lionel Messi are ten points behind the first Atlético Madrid.
Most recently, however, there have been five wins in a row.
However, Messi's contract, which expires on June 30, also threatens sporting problems.
Then the Argentine could leave the club without FC Barcelona receiving a transfer fee.
Economically, Messi's departure might not be bad for the club.
The 33-year-old is currently receiving a fixed salary of 71 million euros from the Catalans, which can increase significantly.
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