Barcelona to sue over non-payment of €40m economic 'lever'

Barcelona are tipped to pursue legal action over an alleged non-payment of €40m (£35m) owed from the sale of a stake in the club’s digital audiovisual arm.

Barca have been forced to trigger various economic ‘levers’ in recent summers to allow them to register new players and contract renewals amid financial difficulties and limited spending power under La Liga’s strict financial rules.

Selling off pieces of various assets and future income streams has been a way to achieve that, although it appears that actually receiving the money hasn’t been fully straightforward.

Spanish news agency EFE has reported that Barca are choosing to chase €40m from German investment firm Libero over a deal struck for 10% of Barca Vision.

The initial payment deadline was in August but is believed to have been extended until 31 December 2023. Now that the revised date has passed and seemingly the payment is still not made, Barca look set to go to launch legal action.

The Athletic reported in October that Libero had wanted certain guarantees before paying that Barcelona would not accept. The knock-on effect of not receiving the €40m in August was that president Joan Laporta and other directors needed to provide personal bank guarantees for La Liga to accept registration for the Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix loan signings.

The same report noted concern among club members and former executives that, while the finance for Camp Nou renovation and selling off future earnings from La Liga TV rights focused on a tangible asset, those involving Barca Media and Barca Vision could more of a bubble due to less evidence of tangible assets and dealing with newer firms without traditional stock market experience.

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