The president of Barça, Josep Maria Bartomeu, has given an extensive interview to Mundo Deportivo in which he reviews all the current issues of the football moment in a Blaugrana key. The top president bets on Barça in the Champions League, praises Xavi, talks about the renewal of the squad, trusts Ter Stegen as leader, rules out advancing elections and is very critical of the VAR and the management of Thebes in the Fuenlabrada case . These are his main reflections.
Fuenlabrada and Javier Tebas case
“This topic and more that come out about LaLiga must be studied in depth. I read many things about Javier Tebas and his family and I wish they were not true. If not, there will be an ethical problem that needs to be addressed. the last consequences must be reached and if there have been some situations all clubs should take action. We have all been very responsible taking care of everyone's health and if someone has not followed the instructions of the health authorities and has made a mistake, we must go to the end. ”
“At Barça we have a code of ethics according to which no senior manager or executive can put a family member or others up to third grade to work in the club or company. If this occurs in LaLiga, the clubs must urgently review the code and conduct it. ”
VAR management
“Real Madrid beat us, but lThe management of the VAR was not the most appropriate in the last section of the competition. There is no VAR to match LaLiga. I don't know if Florentino's call to Rubiales existed and I wish it didn't exist because if we did not have a problem in the world of soccer. Thebes said so, but he is not in the Federation. I can't imagine every president calling Rubiales when they don't like something. We did not call, we made a formal complaint. ”
Champions
“Barça is always a favorite in all competitions. In the Champions too. But first the Naples. I see a winning spirit in the team and it has become self-critical. The team is strong and united and These players deserve respect. “
Setién and Xavi
“At no time was Setien's continuity in the air. What the players and the coach must do is talk to each other and that is what they did. I have an excellent relationship with Xavi and I talk to him about many issues, but next year he has a contract and we have hired Setién. I think he can win the Champions League ”.
Transfers, Neymar and Lautaro
“Neymar is difficult to come if there is no exchange of players. With Inter we talk about Lautaro but now the negotiations are stopped until the Champions League passes. We have done an ambitious project and we already have seven signings: Trincao, whom nobody knew and is the best under-21 in Europe, Matheus Fernandes, who has not been able to play due to bureaucratic problems, Pedri is a young man with incredible talent and Pjanic will perform from minute zero. In addition there are the young people who rise to the first team such as Riqui Puig, Ansu Fati and Araújo. Collado and Monchu have a great future and regarding Iñaki Peña, he will be loaned or will remain in the subsidiary. Compete against Ter Stegen, one of the top three goalkeepers in the world and net, which is in the top ten. ”
Ter Stegen, renovations and salaries
“It is a priority for us to renew Ter Stegen as the prop of the dressing room. He understands that in view of the decrease in the club's income, his salary must be adjusted. All the players are doing it. I am not saying that they will be paid less, but they must adapt their salary to the income level of the club. Everyone understands it. We are adjusting expenses and until we know how the template is, we will not decide anything. On Luis Suárez has a clause according to which if he plays a number of matches he automatically renews. Messi has said many times that he will retire here and I have no doubt about it ”.
Elections and Espai Barça
“It would be irresponsible to advance the elections. If new people came, I wouldn't know how things are going. Many decisions have to be made to guarantee stability. From what I read and listen I notice a certain rush in this regard, but at the meeting no one campaigns or will. We have to face important decisions like Espai Barça, where we are already late because of the pandemic. The Goldman Sachs bank continues to trust despite the pandemic and has money ready to leave us and be able to renovate the stadium without mortgages. It is an essential project for the club that must start the sooner the better. Regarding tittle rights, I hope that when the Champions League ends we can announce what the last name will be between two international companies based in Catalonia ”.