Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has criticised incumbent chief Josep Maria Bartomeu for his handling of Lionel Messi and the club's sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways.
He told Catalunya Radio (h/t Marca): "The club has not lived up to Messi's standard. He is the best player in history, the best in the world."
After the Argentinian's tax fraud case ended in a 21-month suspended prison sentence for the player and his father, Bartomeu tweeted his support of Messi:
Leo, those who attack you are attacking Barça and its history. We’ll defend you to the end.