Just two weeks ago, it was all smiles at the newly christened Spotify Camp Nou as it appeared as if Barcelona were truly back from the dead. Somehow despite the club’s existing financial difficulties, Joan Laporta and co were able to land top names from the market to bulk up Xavi Hernandez’s squad for the new season.
However, going by reports from earlier this week it appears the Catalans are currently in no position to actually register their new recruits. La Liga has communicated to the hierarchy that Barca does not meet the requirements to register their five new signings and two contract renewals unless they clear the wage bill significantly.
This recent development has once again sent Barca back to the drawing board to come up with a way to complete registration and save itself from further embarrassment.
Of course, a bit of immediate relief can be obtained by activating yet another ‘economic lever’ which helped them sign players like Lewandowski, Raphinha and Kounde in the first place.
Another solution that is perhaps unpopular amongst Cules would be through sales of high valued players such as Frenkie De Jong who has already been shown the exit door by the club despite his desire to continue playing for Barca.
While these are some plausible ways to sort out the messy paperwork involved with registration, it appears the Catalans have found other unorthodox avenues to generate funds and regain financial health.
In perhaps a last-ditch attempt to secure the necessary funds, it seems like Barca are currently selling officially-branded club chocolates, a move which has certainly amused football fans everywhere.
When reports emerged last month that the Blaugrana were renting out their illustrious football pitch for commercial purposes such as weddings and conventions, perhaps many supporters thought that the club could not be in a more helpless situation.
But the recent communication from the Spanish league authorities has forced the club to leave no stone unturned in their quest for a debt-free life.
The chocolates appear to be official club merchandise being sold in outlets in Spain as the Barca crest can be clearly spotted on the wrappers. The club seems to be selling various types of chocolates such as dark, milk and pralines in small boxes which cost €13 and as individual bars that cost €8.
Alongside this, the official grass cut from the pitch is also available for purchase directly from Barca stores as supporters have been given the opportunity to take back a part of the pitch as a souvenir. The cut grass is being sold in small cubes sometimes even accompanied by a plastic mock-up of the Spotify Camp Nou around it.
While it is certainly acceptable and legal to sell such merchandise, Barcelona’s financial turmoil has ensured that any action taken by the club would immediately be linked with the prevailing narrative of debt that is circling them. For this, the Catalans have only themselves to blame.
