A law firm representing Barcelona partners has filed a complaint with the European Commission in an attempt to block Lionel Messi’s purported transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
The firm believes it has enough grounds to pursue the case as PSG’s Financial Fair Play situation is worse than that of Barcelona.
On Sunday, Messi delivered an emotional farewell inside Camp Nou to officially confirm his departure from Barcelona after being at the club for 21 years.
There, the Argentine revealed that he was not looking forward to leaving this soon and was even ready to give up 50 per cent of his wages to stay.
However, he was told that an agreement was not possible as result of La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules.
With the Barcelona No.10 drawing the curtains on what has been an illustrious career at Camp Nou, Paris Saint-Germain has been touted as his next destination.
Hours after delivering his parting message in front of his former teammates and employees, report emerged that the player’s camp had received the Ligue 1 club’s official offer and were considering it.
Although both parties are confident that a deal can be concluded shortly, there has been a new twist to the story.
The complaint, which MARCA gained exclusive access to, is based on financial facts and claims that Financial Fair Play should bar PSG from signing Lionel Messi.
The lawyer, Juan Branco confirmed the filing on Twitter alongside a letter.
He said, “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.”
