Amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, FC Barcelona's first-team players could be set for a bitter battle with club officials after reportedly refusing a proposal to take a pay cut, leaving the LaLiga giants with no option but to take further legal action.
Spanish publication AS has reported that Barca's first-team players have rejected a request from club president Josep Maria Bartomeu to take a pay cut during the coronavirus-enforced National State of Emergency in Spain.
It has been claimed that the captains of the side recently met with club officials, and were presented with a proposal that would see a reduction of their salaries that would "not exceed 50%".
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan) – raised money to fight virus
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) – donated money to coronavirus charity
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) – donated money to coronavirus charity
Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich) – donated money to coronavirus charity
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) – donated money to a clinic in Barcelona, and to another medical centre in his home country
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) – donated money for medical equipment for a hospital in Porto
Sadio Mane (Liverpool) – donated money to Senegal
Pep Guardiola (Manchester City manager) – donated money to the Angel Soler Daniel Foundation for the acquisition and supply of health equipment
Gary Neville (former Manchester United and England player) – made hotel available to hospital staff and key workers to stay in for free while they battle the virus
Hao Junmin (Shandong Luneng Taishan) – donated money in China
The latest incident follows a spate of in-fighting at Barcelona in recent times, which included Lionel Messi's public reproach of sporting director Eric Abidal and a reported smear campaign led by Bartomeu.
