Josep Maria Bartomeu Under Pressure Not to Resign as Barcelona President

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is being 'pressured' by those around him not to resign under any circumstances, despite the fallout from Lionel Messi's bombshell on Tuesday.

This is, according to a report, due to the fact that Barça's board of directors would be left liable for the debt collected for the financial year by the club.

Following the conclusion of a hugely disappointing 2019/20 season for Barça which ended with a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich, the club opted to make a number of changes. Quique Setien was replaced by Ronald Koeman, while Eric Abidal's contract as sporting director was also terminated.

One problem Koeman immediately looked to resolve was the future of Lionel Messi, who has grown increasingly frustrated at Camp Nou. However, a 'disastrous' meeting between the pair proved to be the final straw, with the Argentine informing the club of his desire to leave on Tuesday.

One of the main reasons the 33-year-old is said to have taken this decision is due to his fractured relationship with president Bartomeu. The board of directors held an urgent meeting after being made aware of Messi's decision, with it being suggested Bartomeu could - and should - resign to keep the attacker at the club.

In fact, presidential candidate Jordi Farré has noted on his Twitter that he has submitted a letter to request a vote of no confidence against Bartomeu and the entire board. It is a complicated process, but it is seen as one of the only ways to forcibly remove Bartomeu from his post before an election.

However, Jorge Calabres of El Español has explained why it simply isn't that easy for Bartomeu to resign. The board of directors are urging him not to leave under any circumstances because, if he does, the hierarchy will be liable for the debt the club collected during the financial year and this will be taken in the form of personal assets. It is claimed that a number of board members would be left 'broke' if Bartomeu were to leave, putting him in a difficult position.

The coronavirus crisis has only magnified the club's current financial problems and the departure of Bartomeu would add further chaos.

Bartomeu appears to be standing firm in his position, while the club are also adamant that their star man will not be going anywhere. Mundo Deportivo report that after Messi - who has a €700m release clause - sent his message to the club asking to leave, Barça responded by reiterating that his contract is 'fully in force' until next summer.

Messi's lawyers are asking the club to allow him to leave for free due to an exit clause in his contract, claiming that it comes into effect at the end of a season. However, Barça are adamant that the deadline for this was 10 June. La Blaugrana are desperate for the attacker to stay put and finish his career at Camp Nou, but should he want to leave now, he won't be allowed to depart for free.

Indeed, former Barça president Joan Gaspart has insisted that Messi will not be able to leave via his 'exit clause' this summer, explaining that it very clearly expires in June.

"[Messi] cannot leave," Gaspart told Radio MARCA. "He will have to leave in 2021. I have seen the contract and it is very clear. The clause ended in June and there is no going back. I prefer him to leave next year for zero than to go now for less than €700m.

"The club is in charge here, not the player. The club paid the players. And this is not a matter of money, there is a signed contract and that's it."