Laporta on Monday gave a detailed explanation of the financial crisis that he and his board of directors are faced with, in a press conference. 

“The end of the financial year of the 20/21 season will bring losses of 481 million euros” Laporta announced. Regarding the wage bill, he explained that it stood at 103%(€617 million) of the club’s income. He pointed out that this number was 25-30% higher than that of their competitors.

Laporta went on to blame the previous regime under Bartomeu for their modus operandi which involved evading all internal checks when it came to invoices. 

“Disproportionate payments were made to middlemen. For example, 8 million in commission for a player who cost 40. Or 8 million for someone to find players in South America.” he added. 

On the subject of player salaries, Laporta further attacked Bartomeu. "They should have changed the method and invested in and believed in La Masia and made more proportionate investments in keeping with sporting logic … Compliance with La Liga’s salary caps was erratic and as a result the league is viewing us as a club that violates the rules.” 

Tasked with steering the club through a financial crisis, Laporta has been under immense pressure since the moment he took charge. Things took a turn for the worse when the league’s salary cap regulations meant Barca had to part ways with their talismanic skipper Lionel Messi. 

Shifting Messi off the wage bill and senior players like Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba taking wage cuts meant the club could register new signings Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj.