Messi confirms Barca pay cut, contributions

Lionel Messi confirmed on Monday that Barcelona's players will take a 70 percent pay cut and make financial contributions to ensure the Catalan club's other employees are paid in full during the coronavirus crisis in Spain.

In a lengthy message posted on his Instagram account, the Argentine superstar also took another swipe at the Barca board, led by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, whom he accused of undermining the players during recent negotiations.

Other Spanish clubs are expected to follow suit in applying temporary pay cuts, as soccer's hiatus due to the pandemic leaves a number of them fighting for financial survival.

"For our part, the time has come to announce that, as well as the reduction of 70 percent of our salary during the State of Alarm, we will also make contributions so the club's employees can collect 100 per cent of their salary while this situation lasts," Messi wrote.

XINHUA-AGENCIES