FIGC President Gabriele Gravina hit back at Liga chief Javier Tebas for demanding action against Juventus over alleged financial irregularities, pointing to Barcelona’s issues. ‘He should look at what’s going on at home.’
Italian football is in turmoil after the entire Juventus board of directors resigned and an investigation was opened into alleged financial irregularities, specifically paying salaries under the table even after announcing they would forego four months of wages to help the club through the COVID-19 pandemic.
This would effectively falsify their balance sheets and minimise losses, so LaLiga President Tebas called for UEFA to intervene and penalise Juve for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
“I think it’s inopportune to receive gratuitous attacks from someone who should look at what’s going on at home,” Gravina told reporters.
The implication was clearly aimed at Barcelona, who have had huge financial problems recently, denounced by their own board of directors.
Their gross debt rose to €1.3 billion over the summer, as confirmed by President Joan Laporta, yet still managed to purchase Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie for a total €152m.
The Blaugrana activated several ‘economic levers’ to keep themselves afloat, sell off assets including a production company and naming rights of the stadium.
There have also long been question marks over Real Madrid selling their training ground for €500m to the local council in 1998.
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