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Soccer News of Friday, 21 February 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Weird things are happening at Barcelona - Messi

Lionel Messi Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has stated that he feels weird things are happening at Barcelona after news filtered that the club's chief, Josep Bartomeu was accused of hiring social media firm to help criticize and tarnish the image of some fo the club's players.

Bartomeu was recently forced to deny allegations of hiring social media firm against the players so as to protect himself.

The allegations stated that 13 ventures were hired to do the bidding against current and former player of the club.

Bartomeu issued a statement on the club's website which reads: 'In (the) first place, and so that no one is left in any doubt, Barca has not contracted any services to disparage neither players, nor politicians, nor former presidents. It is completely false.

'We will defend ourselves wherever necessary via all means at our disposal against anyone who accuses (us) of such practices.'

Admitting that it hired companies, Barcelona, however, denied hiring them against players in the club.

A statement issued by the club reads:

"Following the information released today about hiring a company dedicated to creating opinions on social networks to erode the image of third parties directly or indirectly related to the Club, FC Barcelona:

1. strongly denies any relationship and, even more so, the contracting of services linked to social network accounts that have spread negative or disparaging messages in relation to any person, entity or organisation that has or has had a relationship with the Club.

2. I3 Ventures, contracted by the Club, has no link to these accounts and, if any type of relationship is shown to exist, the Club would immediately terminate its contractual relationship and take appropriate legal action in defense of its legitimate interests.

3. FC Barcelona confirms that it has contracted social network monitoring services in order to be aware of both positive and negative messages.

4. The hiring of these services is to ensure the protection and preservation of the club’s reputation, as well as those linked to the Club.

5. The Club requires the immediate rectification of the information disseminated and reserves the right to take appropriate legal action against those who continue to involve the Club in this type of practice".

Mesi has now revealed in an interview with Catalan sports publication Mundo Deportivoas reported by L'Equipe, that he would wait to see if any truth on the allegation would come out after Bartomeu's statement.

'I was a little surprised because I was not present, I was travelling,' Messi said.

'When I arrived, I discovered it all bit by bit. The president told us the same things he said in public, the same things he said at a press conference: what was the situation, what had happened. And I cannot say more.

'The truth is that I see weird things happening. But it was also said that there would be evidence. We will have to wait to see if it is true or not. We can't say much and we have to wait and see what happens. Frankly, the subject seems strange to me.'