Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has taken a dig at PSG’s patchy Financial Fair Play record following the club’s public pursuit of Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona talisman has entered the final six months of his contract at Camp Nou, and having handed in a transfer request last summer but ultimately failing to force through a move, he could now leave the Catalan club for free in the summer of 2021.

European heavyweights PSG have frequently been linked with a move for Messi and would be one of the few clubs in world football who have the financial muscle to complete a deal for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Speaking to France Football earlier in January, sporting director Leonardo stirred the speculation pot further by saying: “Great players like Messi will always be on PSG’s list.“

Laporta is running for the Barcelona presidency in March for the second time, having overseen the Pep Guardiola glory years at Camp Nou. His existing relationship with Messi has been at the forefront of his election campaign – and he made a snide dig at the PSG’s FFP past following their public interest in the Argentinian.

„I find it inappropriate,“ Laporta told L’Equipe. „It shows their lack of experience at this level. They still have a lot to learn in the world of football. I don’t know if this reaction is instinctive or if it’s a communication error. For my part, I have always respected other clubs.

„I don’t know if they can sign him. Maybe yes if they continue to break Financial Fair Play rules… from what I know, they had significant losses last year. I would be curious to know if they will ignore the rules of FFP to recruit him.

„If that happens, I hope that UEFA and FIFA will react firmly and that the Court of Arbitration for Sport will not hold back when it comes to delivering its verdict.“