Barcelona Chaos Continue As Financial Vice-President Resigns

Eduard Romeu, Barcelona’s financial vice president, has submitted his resignation, dealing the club even another blow.

Romeu’s resignation was announced by a statement from Barcelona on Thursday morning, stating that his departure was due to “incompatibility with full dedication to his professional work”. However, unidentified sources close to Romeu told The Athletic that his decision to resign was mostly influenced by Barcelona’s severe financial issues.

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Speaking to reporters, Romeu said: “The enemy is outside the club. When we started this it seemed that nobody could save it, but the courage that Laporta has given us has allowed us to fight.

“To see a great Barcelona, we still need to make complex decisions. But there is still that final point that we must reach and we will follow our path with the same strength.”

However, Barcelona President, Joan Laporta remains optimistic that the existing economic team would continue his work.

“Eduard’s functions can continue to be carried out by the economic team. Romeu leaves a great team that is capable of continuing his work,” he said.

“He has been key in the economic work of the club and we will continue to follow his advice. He leaves an economic area department who are prepared to continue his work.”

A €30 million budget gap for the current season, attributable to lower-than-expected matchday income, has compounded Barcelona’s financial troubles. Further complicating matters, La Liga decided to lower Barcelona’s salary ceiling to €204 million, a significant €66 million decrease from the previous maximum.

Barcelona must make cuts in order to comply with La Liga rules, as the team’s real squad cost for the upcoming season is officially budgeted at €492 million. In order to lessen the weight of the club’s historical debts, which total more than €1 billion, this might need the sale of important first-team players.

Changes in La Liga regulations have made it harder for Barcelona to handle these financial difficulties by restricting the use of traditional strategies like economic “levers.” Even after implementing severe cost-cutting measures—which included the resignation of several prominent officials over the course of the previous year, including Jordi Cruyff, the sporting director, and Mateu Alemany, the director of football—the club is still experiencing financial difficulties.

It will need swift action and responsible financial management to lead Barcelona back to its previous glory when the club’s future is in jeopardy. They will play Atletico Madrid in a crucial La Liga match on Sunday when they return to the football pitch.