Outgoing Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu dropped a bombshell as he announced his departure from the Nou Camp by declaring that the Catalan giants have accepted an offer to join a European Super League.
It was reported last week that Manchester United and Liverpool were part of plans for a competition dubbed the 'European Premier League' which would involve Europe's biggest and most powerful clubs.
And Bartomeu, who has left Barcelona after six years at the helm and off the back of a tumultuous summer, says the Blaugrana have accepted a place in a proposed league.
He said: "I can announce some extraordinary news. Yesterday we accepted a proposal to participate in a future European Super League, which would guarantee the future financial sustainability of the club.
"And we have accepted the future Club World Cup format."
Barca would likely be joined in any such competition by Clasico rivals Real Madrid, while the likes of Bayern Munich and Juventus would also be expected to feature.
Season ticket holders at the Nou Camp would need to approve the decision in a vote.
But La Liga chief Javier Tebas poured scorn on the claim, saying involvement would "ruin" Barcelona.
He tweeted: "Unfortunately Bartomeu is announcing on his last day the participation in a phantom competition, which would ruin Barcelona and confirms their ignorance in the soccer industry.
"A sad end of a president who had successes but lately errors."
Bartomeu's resignation from Barca comes amid escalating fan unrest following a summer during which the club's record goal scorer Lionel Messi expressed his desire to leave.
Messi, who has one year left on his contract, looked to be closing in on a move to Manchester City and a reunion with former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.
But the Catalan giants refused to sanction his exit without his astronomical release clause being paid, and the Argentine agreed to play for another season.
Bartomeu and the Barca hierarchy came under fire for their treatment of Messi and Luis Suarez, who departed with little fanfare to join Atletico Madrid after being told he was surplus to requirements.
It remains to be seen whether Bartomeu's exit will see Messi extend his stay in Catalunya.
