World football stars, striker Lionel Messi and former defender Gerard Piqué are allegedly involved in alleged secret negotiations with UEFA, took place in 2020, with the aim of “diverting” funds to replace the salary gap suffered by athletes at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is worth noting that at the time of the alleged negotiations, Messi and Pique were playing for Barcelona. In addition to the players, the scandal would also involve the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, who would have been responsible for representing the athletes in talks with UEFA.
Spanish newspaper The Objective released audio recordings in which Rubiales was talking to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. In the recording, in English, the head of the Spanish FA allegedly suggested that UEFA funds be used to compensate for the financial loss of the players.
Also according to the publication, the first talks would have taken place between Pique and Rubiales. In the interaction, the former defender reportedly said that he was bringing to the manager’s attention how worried Messi would be about the sharp salary cut he had suffered. It is worth remembering that Barcelona even reduced the athletes’ earnings by 70%.
Shortly after, Rubiales reportedly contacted Ceferin to talk about the situation. During the conversation, the Spanish leader asks the UEFA president for confidentiality.
“They (players) know that only the federation and UEFA are defending them, FIFPro and the (players) union are on another level. I was told clearly that please, ‘no one should know that we are talking about our money, because if people find out, they kill us,'” Rubiales says, before continuing:
“If we reach an agreement and we have the possibility to use this money, I think it could be wonderful, President. It has to be very confidential and we have to choose the right moment,” Rubiales concludes.
Check out the audio below:
💣 BOMBAZO | Leo Messi, Rubiales and Gerard Piqué negotiated with UEFA a loss of funds for ciertos jugadores.
💰 To compensate for the loss of wages suffered by the covid-19 pandemic.
i️ @TheObjective_es pic.twitter.com/VIQwBmDszV
— Offsider (@Offsider_ES) May 21, 2024
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