La Liga president Javier Tebas has claimed that Barcelona are being held hostage by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
The Catalan giants were forced to wave an emotional goodbye to Lionel Messi earlier this summer, with La Liga's financial cap preventing the Argentine from extending his stay at Camp Nou.
However, Tebas has now claimed that Barcelona were prepared to agree to La Liga's new CVC deal, but Perez has supposedly created an "inferiority complex" within the ranks.
Speaking to Sport, Tebas said: "Florentino Perez is holding Barcelona hostage. Barcelona were in agreement with the CVC deal for around a month, until Real Madrid said no.
"There is an inferiority complex in the club with Florentino Perez. I know for certain that his [Messi's] departure wasn't for economic reasons and that it could have been avoided.
"Perhaps Messi's exit has been the hardest for me because I think he is the best in history. He didn't deserve to leave like this, not only leaving Barcelona but also LaLiga."
Messi has since made one appearance for Paris Saint-Germain but was unable to feature against Clermont after returning late from international duty.
Ben Knapton
