Bayern Munich honorary president hits out at Barcelona’s economic situation: ‘Absurd and intolerable’ | OneFootball

Joan Laporta’s current term at Barcelona has been largely aimed at lifting the club from the financial mess they were in at the time of his arrival. After all, the club were sinking into debt when he took over as the president.

Through well-negotiated salary revisions, player sales and economic levers, Laporta brought Barcelona back to a competitive level on the field and close to the financial 1:1 rule, although they still have not hit the aforementioned balance yet.

The club’s situation and means of getting out of it, however, have generated significant debate in recent times.

While some admire Laporta’s means of securing stability, others do not see his idea of leveraging future income for present funding to be a good idea.

Bayern president speaks

In a recent interview, the honorary president of Bayern Munich, Uli Hoeness, lashed out at Barcelona for their economic situation and made it clear that they would have faced far bigger repercussions had they been in any other league.

Hoeness has criticised Barcelona. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

“It is absurd that they have a debt of more than €1.3 billion. Absurd and intolerable. With this debt, in any country, they could not play in the First Division with total security and nothing happens here.”

He then hit out at Barcelona’s administrative model and how he did not see the economic levers they utilised with good eyes.

“Barça is not the management model I imagine for a team. It contrasts absolutely with the control we have in Bayern and with our good economy, which should be an example for European clubs.”

“It is clear that solid management, a solid economic criterion and a sporting quality that does not depend on risky accounting manoeuvres,” he added, referring to the levers.

Finally, he hypothesised what would have happened if Barcelona were in the Bundesliga, stating that they would not be allowed to continue in the first division.

“The strict German licensing regulations and the pressure of the audits would immediately paralyse a club with a debt of €1.3 billion.”

Source: SPORT