The LaLiga giants suffered financially from the consequences of games being played behind closed doors, as well as the total cancellation of the basketball Euroleague now owe 19 clubs around £112million in transfer fees.
Barcelona largest amount own come from £25m (€29m) to Liverpool which Barca are still paying for Coutinho according to their annual financial report release on Monday.
Barca still have a big chunk to pay of the initial £142m deal they agreed for midfielder Philippe Coutinho three years ago.
Catalan giants also owe Bordeux £8.8m for winger Malcom, Gremio an additional £7m for Arthur Melo (now at Juventus) and £14m to Ajax for Frenkie de Jong.
The club gas requested from Goldman Sachs, Allianz, Barings, Amundi and Prudential a dispensation for failing to financially comply, which points to a non payment of approximately £178m.
Barça closed 2019/20 economic year with revenue of 855 million euros, below the 1.047 billion set in the budget, which had forecast a profit of 11 million euros. The final result was after-tax losses of 97 million euros, largely as a result of lost revenue due to the effects of covid-19 pandemic.
The most affected area in terms of loss of revenue has been the Commercial Area, which has amassed 297 million in revenue (-9% compared to the previous year) and has suffered an estimated impact due to Covid of -72 million, among other reasons, due to the inability to close certain commercial agreements that were at an advanced state of negotiation before the pandemic (-37 million), as well as the losses associated with the sale of products in the club’s official stores (-35 million).
The club Operating expenses decreased by -2% in relation to the previous season, dropping from 973 million to 955 million euros.
As for revenue from media and TV rights, 249 million in revenue was achieved, but this was a decrease of -17% compared to the previous year, with a drop by 35 million due to Covid-19.
The club hopes to delay debt payments until at least June 30 of this year. Some creditors have accepted that deferral, while the club remains in negotiations with several others over their payment schedule.
Barca were hoping to be able to rely on the return of fans this season, with ticket sales expected to be a big part of the club’s financial bounce-back.
The return of fans was expected to make the club €56m (£50m/$68m) this campaign, with the club expecting a capacity of 25% in February and 50% from May onwards.
