A former president of the Liga giants has blasted the current regime for their apparent handling of Luis Suarez and their talismanic club captain
Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hit out at the “incompetents” currently controlling the club, with Josep Maria Bartomeu accused of disrespecting Luis Suarez and looking to sell Lionel Messi.
Chaos on and off the field has engulfed Camp Nou over recent weeks, with much work required in order to restore a sense of calm.
Quique Setien has been relieved of his managerial duties on the back of La Liga title failure and a disastrous 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Former fan favourite Ronald Koeman has been appointed in his place, with the Dutchman in the process of assessing his options.
It is reported that one big call has seen long-serving frontman Suarez informed that his services are no longer required in Catalunya.
Laporta is stunned to learn that Barca may be willing to part with a striker who has hit 198 goals for the club through 283 appearances.
He believes the South American is deserving of greater respect, with the 33-year-old said to have been told over the phone that he is free to move on.
Barca are also running the risk of forcing talismanic captain Messi through the exits, with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner concerned by the direction in which the Blaugrana are heading.
He is yet to commit to a contract beyond 2021 and is being heavily linked with the likes of Inter, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
Laporta believes Bartomeu, who has revealed that new presidential elections will be held at Camp Nou next spring, is looking to move the iconic Argentine on as his troubled reign starts to crumble.
A man who oversaw events at Barca from 2003 to 2010, with two Champions League crowns secured during that time, posted on Twitter of goings on in the present: “They have told Suarez they don’t want him by telephone. That seems an act of cowardice and a lack of respect towards the player.
“It’s an unacceptable way for the club to behave and it harms the image of the club. I suspect they want to sell Messi, which would be an historic mistake.”
Laporta added: “Poor Barca in the hands of these incompetents.”
Barcelona are in the process of trying to rebuild under Koeman, with an ageing squad in need of a serious refresh.
A number of transfer targets are said to have been identified, but funds are in short supply and it may be that quick fixes prove difficult to find.
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