“Barcelona’s CEO, Ferran Reverter, emphasized that the club endorsed the European Super League with the aim of implementing more stringent financial regulations, particularly addressing the challenges posed by UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) model. The FFP regulations, initiated by UEFA in 2009 to curb significant financial losses incurred by clubs, were temporarily relaxed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, removing the requirement for clubs to achieve financial equilibrium.

The scrutiny of FFP intensified after Qatari-backed PSG’s high-profile transfer activities last summer, securing notable players like Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Georginio Wijnaldum on free transfers while offering substantial wages. Similarly, Abu Dhabi-controlled Manchester City set a Premier League record by paying £100 million ($135.80 million) for the acquisition of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.

In contrast, Barcelona, burdened with a staggering debt of 1.35 billion euros ($1.56 billion), was compelled to reduce its wage bill significantly during the summer due to LaLiga’s more stringent financial regulations. Their allocated budget for the current season plummeted from 347 million to 98 million euros.

Reverter expressed that, for Barcelona, the Super League represented an effort to create a more appealing competition centered around the FFP issue. He stressed the need for a profound reflection on the events of the past summer. According to him, UEFA’s approach allows clubs to inject money, leading to escalating spending ratios. Alongside LaLiga, Barcelona advocates for a more sustainable model, expressing concerns that UEFA’s trajectory may favor state-backed clubs while adversely affecting Barcelona’s brand.

Reverter’s comments received no immediate response from UEFA. President Aleksander Ceferin had previously mentioned a new financial control model without providing details. The Times reported in August that UEFA was exploring the possibility of implementing a salary limit, capped at 70% of a club’s revenue, with provisions for exceeding the limit through the payment of a luxury tax.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus remain the only clubs supporting the Super League after its announcement in April. However, the league quickly unraveled with the withdrawal of six English clubs, followed by Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and Inter Milan.”