Barcelona fires the sports director who clashed with Messi

BARCELONA, Spain In another restructuring move following the humiliating loss to Bayern Munich, Barcelona on Tuesday ended its contract with former player ric Abidal, who as sports director clashed with Lionel Messi this year.

Barcelona said the club and Abidal “have reached an agreement for the ending of the contract that united the two parties.

The club would publicly like to thank ric Abidal for his professionalism, commitment, dedication and the close and positive nature of his relationship with all aspects of the blaugrana family, Barcelona said.

Messi hit back at the sports director in February after Abidal publicly criticized the players efforts.

Messi used his Instagram account to publish a text attacking Abidal for his criticism and saying the former player and other club directors should take responsibility for their recent decisions.

Messi and Abidal were teammates until the Frenchman left the club in 2013.

Barcelona fired coach Quique Setin on Monday, three days after the 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals. The club has also called for new presidential elections in March, and announced profound changes to the first team and a wide-ranging restructuring of the club.

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