Tensions escalate between Barcelona players and board?

The relationship between the Barcelona first-team squad and club officials has deteriorated, according to several reports.

The Catalan giants have put together an inconsistent run of results since the start of the campaign, losing two of their opening seven La Liga fixtures and struggling to a draw against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

While back-to-back victories have come against Villarreal and Getafe, a number of reports in Spain suggest that there is tension behind the scenes.

Sport claims that Lionel Messi has been left unhappy with the perceived lack of effort made to re-sign Neymar, while Mundo Deportivo says that members of the board have allegedly been left disappointed with Gerard Pique, who has called for more unity at Camp Nou.

El Pais also indicates that a win bonus and a wage reduction in the event of a defeat has caused friction between the two parties.