Barcelona lawyers move to block Messi’s transfer to PSG

Football fans are yet to see the end of Lionel Messi’s exit from Barcelona after a lawyer from the Catalan club writes to block his move over claims the French club cannot sign the Argentine icon due to their own FFP situation.

Barcelona had on Thursday announced that Messi, 34, would not sign a new contract with the Spanish club amid financial concerns “and structural obstacles” which prevented Messi from renewing

An emotional Messi bid his farewell to fans and officials of Barcelona on Sunday, saying he never wanted to leave the club. He said he had hoped to continue at the club after agreeing a 50% paycut but La Liga rules meant he could no longer continue.

Following his exit, French giants, PSG were reported to have signed Messi on a two-year deal worth £25m a year after tax, with the option of a further year.

Messi however said while there have been discussions with PSG, the deal have not been signed.

Now lawyers at the Spanish club have filed a complaint to the European Court of Appeals, stating the Parisians should be stopped in their pursuit of Messi based on financial data.

It however appears that Barcelona are not contented with the deal after Juan Branco on Twitter announced that a complaint has been filed against the deal.

The letter read;
“‘On behalf of FC Barcelona partners, my firm has prepared a complaint with the European Commission and demands for provisional suspension before civil and administrative courts in France to prevent Paris-Saint Germain from signing Lionel Messi.

“PSG’s ratios in terms of ‘Financial Fair Play’ are worse than those of FC Barcelona.

‘In 2019-2020, PSG’s salary-to-income ratio was 99%, while Barcelona’s was 54%. Meanwhile, the difference has increased.

‘It is inconceivable that the ‘Financial Fair Play’ serves to aggravate the drifts of football-business, the instrumentalization of football by sovereign powers, and the distortion of competitions.’

The report claims PSG will fall foul of FFP with the signing of Messi, and reveals that Barcelona couldn’t renew the star’s contract because even after a 50 percent pay cut, the club’s wage bill would be 110 percent of cap, according to Marca.

It also reportedly pointed at the Ligue 1 side’s active summer this year, with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, and Georginio Wijnaldum all arriving at the Parc de Princes.

They already have the massive wages of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar to shoulder.

Messi bids emotional farewell to Barca, says PSG deal not done