Gerard Pique says Barcelona’s veteran gamers taking wage cuts

Barcelona’s veteran gamers are taking wage reductions to assist the financially troubled membership, Gerard Pique stated Sunday.
Pique stated he has already accepted a discount and teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto _ all captains on the membership _ are anticipated to do the identical quickly.
Pique stated he needed to be the primary to take the discount so the membership might register a few of its new gamers in time for its opening Spanish league recreation, which Barcelona received 4-2 on the Camp Nou Stadium in opposition to Real Sociedad.
The Catalan membership misplaced Lionel Messi as a result of it couldn’t give him a brand new contract that may match into the Spanish league’s strict monetary truthful play laws.
Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia, who each began on Sunday, reportedly couldn’t have been registered with out Pique’s wage discount.
“It’s what had to be done,” the 34-year-old Pique stated. “The other captains will do the same soon. Because of a timing issue I had to be the first one so we could register the players. The captains have always intended to make the adjustments needed by the club. We are proud of this decision.”
There had been some stories that Alba had not supposed to scale back his wage, and the participant was jeered by some followers on the Camp Nou on Sunday.
“Sometimes there are misunderstandings,” Pique stated. “After last season ended, the captains talked and we were on the same page to try to reach a deal with the club.”
Alba stated it damage to listen to “lies” about his dedication to Barcelona, and dismissed the notion that the membership couldn’t preserve Messi as a result of different gamers didn’t need to cut back their salaries.
“I’ve always been willing to help the club,” he stated. “No one should doubt me. I’ve been here for 10 years, and eight more in the youth squads. This is my home, the club of my life, and I’ll always help it.”
Barcelona’s debt is greater than 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion). Barcelona president Joan Laporta blamed the earlier administration of Josep Bartomeu for leaving the membership within the dire scenario that led to Messi’s departure.