Tusquets: “We cannot make a custom suit for Messi's salary”

Carles Tusquets, president of the management committee, answered for the first time to questions from the media after announcing that Barça will try to call elections at Christmas and that an economic gap of 300 million euros must be corrected.

What will happen if an economic agreement is not reached with players and employees?

I contemplate the scenario that there is a predisposition for an agreement. We don't want to take money away from anyone, just pay when possible. And we have empowered a multinational firm to solve this. It is the most viable solution. But the club must defend itself until the end, of course.

Have you had any meeting with the Generalitat to discuss the issue of the elections?

We haven't had any meetings. That is why today, in the meeting we have held, we have created a working group that will be in charge of the election issue (which will include the Discipline and Transparency Committees and the Member's Trustee). But all that comes down to us is that there is a lot of difficulty in implementing a vote in November and December.

Have you spoken with the candidates?

I will talk with them.

What would happen if the scenario does not improve, would the elections have to be postponed?

It is a question that I cannot answer. We will put all the logistical means to organize them on the date that I communicated before (about Christmas). Our bylaws do not allow electronic voting; a quorum was not reached in the previous Assembly and the Catalan Sports Law does not approve it either. But we can approve the vote by mail. Means, there are many possible. But we cannot perform miracles and go outside the statutes.

He has put the figure at 300 million to balance the losses. Most of it comes from the pay cut. We have known formulas on the extension of contracts to defer the contract. But what formula can be put in place for players who end their contract? (the case of Messi)

Within the negotiation table, in which we have legal advice, alternatives have been presented to adapt different situations. A footballer who ends his contract this year is not the same as one who has a ten-year contract. There are even formulas that fiscally benefit some players. There are many alternatives that can be adjusted to specific cases.

In that specific case, there is Messi, who is released in January. It surely worries them.

We cannot tailor suit. In any case, we intend to solve the problem for the entire staff and all the club's workers. And we want all parties to benefit. Depending on the money available, we can pay. Our revenue will drop to around 300 million. And, if we open the stadium, then maybe less will fall, but not too less. The impact is 300 million. For that we have hired the world's leading human resources firm. Let me not specify about Messi because first you have to finish the negotiations. What there is is a good predisposition from Messi and his representatives. Our wage bill is the highest in Europe. This morning I have been with Ramon Planes, Ronald Koeman and Óscar Grau, and I have conveyed my congratulations for their courage in the commitment to young people. Not many coaches have it. That influences the wage bill. That is the way.

He talks about a 300 million drop in a club that has a budget of 800 million. If these figures are not lowered, there has been talk of a bankruptcy.

Not right now. What I do tell you is that the club has a great future. There are possible agreements that allow us to think that we have a splendid future. We have seen it with the representatives of the club. There is hope, never in the short term, always in the medium term, that the club will pick up its income.

Ramon Adell signed Arda Turan and Aleix. Could this management commission sign?

If it sells, it can be bought. Players who come with the loss can be signed. What happened with Aleix and Arda was different. There was money but we asked for Luis Enrique's signature. They have to come in money for the sale. And if it costs money and the next president wants to pay it back. Koeman deserves a vote of confidence.

Have you received any request for reinforcements or even an institutional relationship?

This VAR does not even ask me. It is frankly improvable unless the criteria are unified. We will talk with the FEF to unify criteria. The coach and the technical secretary know that it will be possible to sign if it is sold before and there is money. They don't have to ask me whether to sign Juanito and Pepito; I am one more fan. It is not for us to enter who is signed.

Can contract extensions be undone?

If the money returns and the agreement is updated, of course it is reversible. But it will be your decision.

Could electronic voting be implemented?

The multiple venues can be done; Electronic voting is not allowed either in the statutes or in the Catalan L'Esport law. What interests us is that there is maximum participation.