Barcelona have sensationally sacked directorPere Gratacos after the 58-year-old made a few negative comments about Lionel Messi to the Spanish media.
The Catalan club are desperately trying to pen the Argentine wizard to a new contract, but they have hit a stumbling block after Gratacos appeared to play down Messi's role in the side.
"Leo is one of the most important people in the team, but it's not just about him,"the IndependentquoteGratacos as saying on Friday.
"He would not be as good without [Andres] Iniesta, Neymar and company," he said, before saying:"but Messi is the best."
While the comments don't initially seem too blasphemous, Barcelona showed that they don't take any prisoners by sacking Gratacos within 24 hours.
Comunicado del FC Barcelona sobre Pere Gratacós https://t.co/PRX7H0B4ya #FCBLive pic.twitter.com/XVljaaTJJa
An official club statement read:"FC Barcelona have dismissed Pere Gratacos as head of institutional sporting relations with the Royal Spanish Football Federation for having publicly expressed a personal opinion that does not match that of the club after the draw for the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey held today in Madrid.
"The decision has been taken by Albert Soler, director of professional sports, who will assume these functions directly from now on."
Luis Enrique's side proved they didn't let the comments deter them on Saturday night as they smashed Las Palmas 5-0 at the Camp Nou.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring in just the 15th minute before Messi doubled the lead just after half-time. Suarez got another five minutes later causingArda Turan andAleix Vidal to score later on as the floodgates opened.