Report: Barcelona may slash player wages to combat COVID-19 financial losses

The Barcelona hierarchy is privately discussing the possibility of cutting some first-team players' salaries to protect the club from economic downturn triggered by the coronavirus, sources told ESPN's Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden.

It's understood the decision on whether to temporarily reduce certain players' wages will be made next week. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu reportedly explained the measure to fellow board members during a video conference call Friday, describing the loss of matchday income amid the COVID-19 pandemic as "reversible."

Barcelona players earn average annual pay packets of over €11 million, according to figures from the Global Sports Salary Survey cited by ESPN, the largest such average of any team in history.

The club is apparently not considering laying off its non-playing staff in order to alleviate its financial burdens at this time.

Should players be persuaded to take salary cuts, it will be the latest in a long line of unpopular moves led by Bartomeu. In February, Barcelona were alleged to have hired a PR firm to criticize the side's players and boost Bartomeu's image ahead of next year's elections for the club presidency.