Joan Laporta

We think Barcelona is above all, the club is over 100 years old and is above everyone, even above the best player in the world. The club goes over players, coaches, presidents.

There are objective reasons regarding the economical situation at the club and an investment of that volume with the contract of Messi was risky, we wanted to assume those risks, but when we realized the real situation of the club after the audit, it meant that we would have put the club in great risk.

There comes a moment when you need to say ‘enough’. You need to analyze rigorously with a cold head and look at the numbers, and in the Spanish league we have to abide by the rules. We think they could be more flexible, but that’s not an excuse, we knew the regulation. We couldn't abide by it because of the inheritance we had.

We are not going to increase our salary limit by selling our audiovisual rights for the next 50 years, this decision would have been risky.

Leo wanted to stay, so he is not happy, we all wanted him to stay. But for him right now it’s a situation in which he has to confront reality. It's a reality that can't be changed. I wish him the best wherever he goes.

There is no margin after a calamitous situation that was all down to the previous board of administration.