Elena Fort: 'We haven't acted without preparation'
Wednesday morning saw FC Barcelona vice-president Elena Fort take part in local radio station programme 'El món a RAC1'. She explained that the Club is yet to receive any official notification from the CSD (National Sports Council) regarding the registrations for Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor that have been subject to so much debate in recent days. That being said, she also wanted to state that "information points to the CSD supporting us" on the matter.
Further to the point, Elena Fort wanted to make it clear that FC Barcelona has acted correctly, stating “It isn't true we have been flying close to the wind. Judgement has been passed without having any actual information about what's happened. Barça have complied fully with every indication received from the body responsible for financial management throughout. We don't act without preparation”.
She went on to state that “We were already discussing the sale of the VIP seats from mid-October and it was going on at the same time as the Nike contract. Changes in LaLiga's indications in recent months now mean that the results of the Nike negotiations won't come through in time. And that means that everything else needed to be speeded up. It doesn't mean that work is being done off the cuff, however”.
She continued, “The preconceptions that Barça have been negligent is serious. Barça respond to LaLiga's requirements. The need to speed up the timings for everything derives from LaLiga. It could have happened 3 months or 3 weeks ago, and we respond afterwards”.
The vice-president explained that “Barça had a plan A to reach the 1:1 financial ratio, which was the Nike contract, but there was also a plan B in case what happened ended up happening. That's why the operations were going on at the same time. Everyone can make mistakes and things can be done in a better or worse fashion, but nothing is done off the cuff. Just because things are being explained as they are happening doesn't mean it is off the cuff.”
The relationship between LaLiga and the RFEF
When asked about the Club's relationship with bodies such as LaLiga and the RFEF, Elena Fort was clear to say that “Barça consider that the negotiations from LaLiga and the Federación were unclear at times. We hope that the CSD will see our side of things in the coming days, and that we can take the time to weigh up everything that's happened in a measured manner. It's not been easy, but fortunately we've been able to respond to every requirement that's been asked of us”.
The VIP seats agreement
Vice-president Elena Fort also provided details on the VIP seats operation. "Barça has reached an agreement to offer a product for sale whereby buyers pay Barça's price for the seats and they are sold the right to make use of those seats", she assured.
Confirming that the operation was approved by the Compliance department, she went on to add that “It's new income that hadn't been forecasted and ensures the maximum amount of budgeted income is obtained. It provides a lot of stability to the Espai Barça project in general”.
The return to the Spotify Camp Nou
The interview on local radio station RAC1 also covered the return to the Spotify Camp Nou. “There isn't a set return date as it stands, but it will definitely be this season. We've explained what the situation was during every phase so far. Clearly unexpected events have led to a deviation from the initial forecasts, and we will explain those, but we will be back”, assured the Club's vice-president.
On potential fines due to the delay, Elena Fort explained that “There is a fine for delays, that's in place, but all situations will be assessed at the end of the works, which is when we will decide whether or not any claims will be put to the construction company”.
Lastly, Elena Fort reminded that this Board of Directors has managed stem "a flow of ordinary losses the Club has been incurring for many years" and that everyone has rolled up their sleeves "to save the Club".