Report: Barcelona players reject proposed wage cuts

Barcelona will have to table a better proposal to convince players to take a pay cut.

Blaugrana players rejected the club's proposition to reduce their wages significantly in order to help limit the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to ESPN FC's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens.

Barcelona had considered slashing wages by 70% for as long as the lockdown in Spain remains in place, report The Guardian's Sid Lowe and Ben Fisher, who add that players would receive their full salaries once the lockdown is lifted, whether or not the La Liga campaign is completed.

Talks between the club's board of directors and team captains are ongoing, and players are willing to sacrifice some salary, sources told Marsden and Llorens. However, there's reportedly been friction between some players and members of the board during negotiations.

The proposal is not limited to the football team, as players from the women's football and men's basketball teams reportedly have also been asked to make similar sacrifices, though the men's football team represents by far the largest wage bill at over €500 million.

As Barcelona's ownership model prohibits outside investments, the Catalan club reportedly fears the ongoing suspension of the season will have a severe impact on its finances.

Financial concerns could be partially assuaged by the Spanish football federation after president Luis Rubiales announced plans to make €500 million available to clubs in the first and second divisions who require €15 million to €20 million in loans during the stoppage.