“Arthur has disrespected the club and his teammates”

Josep Maria Bartomeu He gave an interview to Sport that will come out this Sunday in the paper edition, but from which the website of the Barcelona media made an advance this Saturday afternoon. The president of Barça attacks Arthur harshly, who did not return to work with his teammates after the team's break between the end of LaLiga and the start of preparation for the Champions League: “What Arthur has done is a lack of respect for his teammates, because the team wants to do well in the Champions League. And also for the club. It is not logical that playing such an important title, a player decides to erase himself. It is unjustifiable and totally incomprehensible. Arthur called Eric Abidal a couple of days ago to tell him that he would not return to the team and would not return to the club. That was not planned. On the contrary, we had agreed that he would play with Barça until the end of all the championships. It is an unacceptable act, of indiscipline because there is no reason that justifies the fact that he does not return to the team now that we are going to play the Champions League. In these cases, a disciplinary file is opened, there will be an investigation and, depending on what happens, there will be a type of sanction and fine. He has not given the reason, he has said that it is a decision he has made. These next few days we are waiting to speak with him because the file requires him to explain his version of the event. “

In the progress of the interview, in addition, maintains its support for Setién. At least, officially: “Quique has a contract. When we hired him, we explained to him that it was a project for this season and all the following. Measuring a coach for a few months, with a pandemic in between, is very complicated. Arturo Vidal already said it, they have had little time to get to know each other and work. At no time did we think of a change of coach. I know that some information came out saying that if he did not win two games we would exchange him for García Pimienta, but that was never discussed. Not with Abidal, not with Plans or on the board of directors. Setien is our coach. We have not spoken to anyone. Not with Laurent Blanc or with anyone. I do talk to Xavi because we have a good relationship, but he recently renewed with his team. Xavi will come one day to train at Barça. And he will decide when. “