Barcelona and their players are furious over a report claiming a list of their squad’s individual salaries.
Gerard Pique, alongside Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba were the three players who had the most criticism within the piece, suggesting that they were paid way more than in reality.
The information was published by Lluis Canut on TV3, although the club has now officially denied his report.
“People like [Canut] charging public television to go on and defend their friends,” Pique posted on Twitter.
“Here is 50 percent of my [base] pay, as paid on Dec. 30. Have a little respect for yourself.”
Pique’s response came alongside an attached picture of his most recent online banking screenshot, which highlighted the fact his base salary paid is now around 2.3 million euros net.
Barcelona as a club also issued a statement, denying the figures presented by Canut.
“In relation to comments made by Lluis Canut on TV3, Barcelona would like to clarify the following,” the statement read.
“1. The information on the salaries of certain first-team players has not, in any case, been provided by the club and the origin [of any leak] is unknown.
“2. In any case, the amounts referred to in the information are erroneous and do not conform to reality. Furthermore, in the case of the first three players referred to [Pique, Busquets and Alba], it gives fixed amounts which, as the sums involved are based on variables, will possibly never be reached.
“3. It is also false that the aforementioned players have only deferred their salary. Pique, Busquets and Alba gave up part of their salary when they signed contract renewals last summer.
“We consider it inappropriate, unprofessional and that [Canut] has acted in bad faith by offering this information as truthful. We regret that data of this type is provided because it infringes the personal rights of the players and deserves, when the information is true, confidentiality.”
