[Sport] Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has denied that he was the one responsible for leaking Lionel Messi's Barcelona contract.

[Stendhal 𐌕]

 

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has denied that he was the one responsible for leaking Lionel Messi's Barcelona contract.

 

The Argentine's pay details were leaked to El Mundo over the weekend, which caused something of a stir around the Camp Nou, as only a very select number of people could have been responsible for the leak.

 

"It's a very serious issue and it's totally illegal to leak professional contracts," Bartomeu told Esport3, denying his involvement.

 

"Speaking on TV and making accusations is easy, but it's not a joke and this will end up in court."

 

Continuing, the former president defended Messi's salary and its viability pre-COVID-19.

 

"By the way, Leo deserves what he earns," Bartomeu added. "Both for professional and commercial reasons.

 

"Without the pandemic, Barcelona could easily pay those figures."

 

Messi has already handed the situation over to his lawyers.

Edited February 1, 2021 by Stendhal