Javier Tebas

Bartomeu made the announcement on Tuesday in a speech confirming he and Barca's board of directors are resigning.

"We accept entry into a European Super League of football clubs," he said. "This acceptance will have to be ratified by the next assembly. We have also approved the format of the new Club World Cup.

"The European Super League will make it so the club can remain being one of the members."

A report from Sky Sports last week claimed Liverpool and Manchester United were leading talks around the prospect of a new FIFA-backed tournament featuring the world's biggest clubs.

It was claimed more than a dozen teams from England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain were in negotiations to become founder members of a possible European Premier League backed by $6billion (£4.6billion) of funding.

Bartomeu's comments made it clear that Barca are one such club to have been approached to join the proposed competition, which could start as early as 2022 and comprise home and away fixtures between 18 teams.

Any final decision would have to be ratified by a vote held by the next Barca president and board of directors.

In his speech, Bartomeu did not state whether Barca's involvement in any new such competition would lead to them withdrawing from LaLiga or the Champions League.

The new Club World Cup was scheduled to begin next year, in place of the traditional pre-World Cup tournament, the Confederations Cup, with FIFA expanding the tournament to 24 teams and China selected as host.

The coronavirus pandemic means the event is likely to be pushed back until at least 2022, however.

Bartomeu's admission that Barca have accepted the plans for the new tournament is at odds with the view of the European Club Association (ECA), which last year produced a letter insisting "no ECA clubs would take part".

Writing on Twitter on Tuesday after Bartomeu's resignation speech, LaLiga president Javier Tebas said: "Unlucky Bartomeu, announcing on the final day participation in a phantom competition that would be the ruin of Barcelona, and ratifies his ignorance in the football industry.

"A sad end for a president who had success and, in the end, errors."

Coronavirus has, according to official figures, caused around 6,500 deaths from approximately 170,000 confirmed cases worldwide.

As the pandemic continues, there are going to be some big decisions made in the world of sport over the coming week, with UEFA's 55 members set to come together – via video conference – on Tuesday.

The fate of this season's Champions League and Europa League will be up for debate, while Euro 2020 is also to be discussed.

Here is a look at the latest developments:

Ahead of Tuesday's meeting with UEFA, Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina confirmed he will call for Euro 2020 to be postponed, in the hope that might allow the Serie A season to be finished in June.

This proposal will likely be backed by LaLiga boss Javier Tebas, who is convinced the top-flight season in Spain will be completed. Swiss FA president Dominique Blanc, meanwhile, has confirmed he has coronavirus.

It is not yet clear what will happen in the Premier League, with the teams set to reconvene for another meeting on Thursday and, after coming under criticism for stating that the season should be considered "null and void", West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady defended her comments.

"The Premier League and EFL are doing all we can to ensure the season is finished. Including suspending games, isolating players, and if required playing games behind closed doors and into the summer months," she wrote on Twitter.

"My point was safety of fans, players, staff come first and if the remaining games just cannot be played the only fair and reasonable thing is to declare [the] season null and void."

In a newspaper column, Wayne Rooneybacked the decision to postpone fixtures in England, but criticised the Premier League and EFL for taking so long to make the call.

More players have confirmed they have tested positive for COVID-19.

Valencia defender Ezequiel Garaybecame the first LaLiga player to be named as having the illness, with the club adding four more members of the first-team playing and coaching staff had also tested positive.

Valencia's former Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala confirmed later on Sunday that he was one of those with the virus.

In Serie A, Sampdoria's Omar Colleyposted a video to his official Instagram account in which he refuted his club's claim that he too had received a positive test result.

Meanwhile, Manchester United's Paul Pogba joined the raft of sports stars pledging to support people during the crisis, as he launched a fundraiser to mark his 27th birthday.

In France, Paris Saint-Germain announced they had extended the suspension of all club operations until March 18.

In the United States, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert– the first NBA player to be diagnosed with coronavirus – provided a positive update on his recovery, while also stating: "I wish I would have took this thing more seriously and I hope everyone else will do so because we can do it together."

Not all sport has been postponed just yet, with rugby league in both Britain and Australia continuing for now.

In Super League, Castleford Tigers ran out winners over defending champions St Helens, though in the National Rugby League (NRL), Melbourne Storm's Cameron Smith called for the competition to be suspended.

Round two is set to go ahead next week, albeit behind closed doors, while New Zealand Warriors have elected to remain in Australia rather than return to Auckland, where they would have to self-isolate for 14 days.

With elite European football at a standstill due to COVID-19, much debate has surrounded the topic of player wages and whether or not their salaries should be reduced while no fixtures are taking place in order to save the clubs money and protect the livelihoods of less wealthy non-playing staff.

Serie A clubs have voted unanimously to implement cuts of up to a third of players' yearly wages, while some teams from other countries around Europe are making their own decisions on the matter, with Atletico Madrid confirming players had accepted a 70 per cent reduction.

Atletico's stance is by no means a standard in LaLiga, but league president Javier Tebas thinks some form of sacrifice should be made across the board and believes that will be achieved in the coming days.

"We are in a moment of exceptional, unpredictable, and enormous-impact crisis," he said in a teleconference with foreign media on Tuesday.

"Everyone loses money, it seems normal to me that players' salaries are also reduced. In Spain we did not find an agreement with the union, our negotiations ran aground yesterday [Monday].

"At the moment, eight LaLiga clubs [across the first and second divisions] have requested ERTE [Temporary Employment Regulation File], but in the next few days all our teams will activate salary reduction protocols, either through ERTE or with individual agreements with their players.

"Spanish football does not intend to resort to state aid, we must be economically independent."

Tebas also confirmed LaLiga's desire to resume the season – if possible – on the final weekend of May, meaning the campaign would likely extend beyond June 30.

While that would be problematic in terms of the next transfer window and the expirations of some contracts or loans at the end of June, Tebas is confident modifications will be possible.

"It will be necessary to alter the contracts of the players that expire on June 30, as well as the various loan agreements," he said. "It is not simple, but not so complicated. I think that the players will agree and that the different leagues will find a solution that complies with general regulations.

"It is clear that the current transfer window dates, from July 1 to September 1, will not be suitable and should be changed, but I can't say much more.

"We will have to see the recommendations of FIFA and adjust the market to the current conditions generated by the coronavirus, which are decidedly exceptional."

The coronavirus pandemic has caused mass disruption to sport across Europe and Spain's LaLiga has been no different, with a ball not being kicked since early March.

Although lockdown measures look set to be extended again in Madrid, in many other areas of the country they are being relaxed, with Saturday's COVID-19 death toll of 102 people being the lowest daily figure in two months.

Monday will mark a fortnight since players were given the green light to return to individual training, while sessions in groups of up to 10 are set to begin at the start of the week, even for the Madrid-based clubs.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has outlined Friday June 12 as his target for a return to the pitch behind closed doors, with matches played "every day for 35 days", and Munir sees no issue with that date.

"Well, as far as I know they haven't told us anything," Munir told Marca when asked about potentially resuming the season with a derby contest against Real Betis.

"If it has to be played, then we will play. We have to train hard to be the best we can when they say.

"I think it [June 12] is fine. Four weeks already gives you time to do things. The best thing is the sooner you open to work in a group, which is what we need.

"We want to play, all with caution because we have been stopped for a long time. It is not the same as being on vacation – [it's been] two months locked up without being able to go out or train well. Little by little, we have to do more and safely."

Prior to the season's pause, Munir had struggled for first-team football at Sevilla this term under Julen Lopetegui, despite an encouraging first few months at the club following his move from Barcelona last January.

But the Spain international insists he and Lopetegui get on well, and he is eager to repay the backing he receives from fans before he contemplates moving on.

"It is true that from there [the Copa del Rey defeat to Mirandes in January] I do not play and it may seem that way, but I tell you that with the coach I get along very well and there is no problem," the Barca youth product said.

"And if there has been a problem, it can be solved by speaking. There has been nothing, we have never discussed or anything like that. I am going to continue working, trying to grow and helping the team.

"Really, and I have thought about this many times – I have to return the affection that Sevilla is showing me.

"I think I can give a lot to Sevilla and the fans that are so spectacular. They have always supported me, whether I'm in this situation or playing."

The Bundesliga was given the green light to resume later this month when chancellor Angela Merkel made the announcement during a news conference on Wednesday.

Strict testing and matchday procedures will be put in place by the German government, with football seemingly set to resume on May 15 having been paused in mid-March.

LaLiga outlined its own plan for a staggered return to training on Monday, with teams set to begin individual work this week before gradually moving to group sessions, the ultimate aim being to re-commence the 2019-20 season in June.

Spanish clubs began testing players for COVID-19 on Tuesday and LaLiga sees the Bundesliga's situation as a cause for optimism following a difficult period, which has led to the Dutch Eredivisie and France's Ligue 1 ending 2019-20 prematurely.

"From LaLiga we want to congratulate the Bundesliga on the decision of its government to restart the competition from the second half of this month of May, as well as other leagues that are also reactivating in Poland, Israel, Turkey, Croatia, Bulgaria , Serbia, Hungary, Denmark and Portugal," a statement read.

"This is very good news for European football, for the return to a new normal and for the reactivation of such an important economic and social activity.

"LaLiga and its clubs continue working so that in Spain football can also return, on a path that started yesterday [Tuesday] and today with the medical tests prior to the return of training and that will not end until the return of the fans to the stadiums."

Spain has recorded more confirmed cases of COVID-19 than any other country in Europe, with its count totalling more than 253,600, while there have over 25,850 deaths.

Following a two-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Germany's top flight this weekend became the first major European league to resume.

All the games are being played behind closed doors, while most people not on the field wore masks and observed social-distancing protocols.

Spain has been among the countries hit hardest by the COVID-19 outbreak, with over 277,000 confirmed cases and more than 27,000 deaths.

Tebas was impressed by the work put in to get the Bundesliga back up and running and is pleased to have a blueprint to follow.

"I'm very pleased. I have congratulated the CEO of the Bundesliga," Tebas told El Partidazo.

"They have done a very important job and I am very proud. It is the example to follow."

Tebas will not have the final say on when LaLiga can resume and wants games to be played on Mondays, which fans have regularly protested against and Royal Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales opposes.

"It will be determined by the health authorities. I want it to be as soon as possible. We are working for the resumption from June 12," Tebas said.

"I hope it is also on Mondays and that there is sensitivity on the part of the federation. The fans' problem no longer exists in this situation."

LaLiga clubs were able to open their facilities for individual training sessions last week and can start working in limited groups from Monday.

"The players have to be focused. Each new phase allows you to be with more people and you have to be careful," said Tebas.

"With the security measure we have, it is practically impossible for there to be a contagion in training."

Spain's top-flight, much like most of Europe's elite leagues, has been suspended indefinitely due to COVID-19, which has killed almost 14,000 people in the country.

The timing of the hiatus – so close to the end of the season – has led to significant debate as to what happens next when the threat has passed, with some suggesting the season is started over, while others insist it should be resumed where it finished.

Tebas is under no illusions that the season in Spain must not be voided because of the financial consequences, while he also confirmed LaLiga has identified May 28 – or the first weekend of June – as a working date for resuming domestic action, with UEFA competitions potentially set to continue in July.

"We are considering the idea of ​​playing again, in Spain and other European countries, on May 29 or, alternatively, on June 6 or June 28. If we start LaLiga on May 28, the Champions League would be in July; if we start on June 6, all the competitions would be played together until July 31," Tebas told reporters in a teleconference on Tuesday.

"And if we start on June 28, July would be for LaLiga and August for the Champions League. With these dates, obviously, there is time to start training again, respecting the activity resumption protocol that we have designed for LaLiga.

"By the end of the season we would not want to go beyond the month of August, and it is obvious that all this will affect the schedule for the next season.

"No, not mentioned at all at the moment," he continued when asked if cancelling the season was an option. "It is a hypothesis that we do not contemplate. We want to end it, probably behind closed doors.

"And it is curious, by chance, that the clubs that want to end the season here are the ones from the bottom of the League, the ones that are fighting not to be relegated.

"I can assure you that no major nor mid-season championships intend to cancel the season, whoever talks about this does so for personal interests.

"Not finishing the 2019-20 season would bring a measurable loss of €1bn. If we finish behind closed doors, the economic damage will be €350million.

"If we could play with the public, the losses would still be €150m. As for TV rights in the League, we raised 90 per cent of the total. If we no longer have to play, in addition to giving up the remaining 10 per cent, we would have to return 18 per cent of what we have already raised."

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were among the teams to post photos from the next phase of the Spanish top flight's attempted return early on Monday.

Following LaLiga's coronavirus hiatus, players were allowed to resume individual work from May 4 as the country began to de-escalate its lockdown measures.

Although strict guidelines are set to remain in place for Madrid and Catalonia over the coming weeks, the lockdown is being eased in many other regions of Spain.

And in accordance with government regulations and protocols, clubs are now able to resume group sessions at their training bases.

Initially teams will be required to work in groups of no more than 10 players, but they are still not permitted to use changing facilities and must arrive and leave individually.

The groups must work on different pitches, or at the very least in opposite halves.

LaLiga confirmed "group training may be carried out by all clubs, regardless of the de-escalation phase of the province in which they are located". Strict preventive and safety guidelines are in place.

"This is a significant step forward on the road towards restarting professional football in Spain, which has been on hold since March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic," read a statement from LaLiga.

The league's president, Javier Tebas, who is aiming for a June 12 restart, told Movistar's El Partidazo: "The start of the next phase in LaLiga's Return to Training protocol is another step towards the restarting of the competition. 

"It will be good to be able to set all training routines on an equal footing. It's very important that every club have the same chance to be in good shape.

"It's not essential, but it's very important and we're grateful that it will be like that."

Tebas hopes football can be played every day once LaLiga returns in order to finish the season, saying: "That is what I hope.

"We shouldn't have any problems playing on Mondays across the eleven rounds of matches we have left to play. I hope for some sense from the Royal Spanish Football Federation on this. 

"It's very important for us to be able to give both our national and international broadcasters, and fans across the world, football on as many days as possible to ensure as little disruption as possible."

He also welcomed the return of Bundesliga action at the weekend.

"I'm very happy, and I've congratulated them because they've taken a very important step," he said.

"We've worked hard on this together over the past months, we've exchanged protocols, ideas, we spoke once or twice every week. 

"I'm very proud of the Bundesliga. It wasn't easy; they were the first to get up and running and they're an example to follow."

Following LaLiga's coronavirus hiatus, players were allowed to resume individual work on May 4 as the country began to de-escalate its lockdown measures.

Although strict guidelines are set to remain in place for Madrid and Catalonia over the coming weeks, the lockdown is being eased in many other regions of Spain, with Saturday's COVID-19 death toll dropping to 102, the lowest daily figure for two months.

But in accordance with government regulations and protocols, clubs will be able to resume group sessions at their training bases from Monday.

Initially teams will be required to work in groups of no more than 10 players, but they are still not permitted to use changing facilities and must arrive and leave individually.

The groups must work on different pitches, or at the very least in opposite halves.

Each group of players will be allowed to use gym facilities at the same time, as long as social distancing is adhered to and disinfection protocols are maintained.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas is hopeful of resuming the 2019-20 season on June 12, with Germany's Bundesliga the first of Europe's top-five leagues to return to the pitch following its resumption on Saturday.

Speaking last week, LaLiga chief Javier Tebas revealed his hopes of action returning with the competition having been suspended since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Both the Eredivisie and Ligue 1 have called an end to their respective seasons, but the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A have all signalled their intent to complete their fixtures for the 2019-20 campaign.

Teams in Spain will initially be able to begin doing individual sessions with players this week before working towards group training, as agreed with sports and health authorities.

"LaLiga clubs are returning to training this week following the Spanish ministry of health's approval for the return of sports training sessions," a statement from the organisation read.

"In accordance with the return to training protocol that LaLiga has drawn up with medical experts, solo training of professional players from LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank begins - after a medical examination by the club services.

"This return to training has been planned from LaLiga with measures that have been agreed with the sports and health authorities in order to guarantee greater safety for the health of all those involved.

"These measures contemplate a period of approximately one month with different phases that, in any case, will be subject to the de-escalation process established by the government. 

"Thus, together with the perceptual medical controls, a staggered return to training has been designed that will cover from solo training to group exercise prior to the return to competition scheduled for June."

Tebas added: "This crisis has had a profound impact on all of us. The return of football is a sign that society is progressing to the new normal. 

"It will also bring back an element of life that people in Spain and around the world know and they love.

"Health is paramount, so we have a comprehensive protocol to safeguard the health of everyone involved as we work to restart LaLiga. 

"Circumstances are unprecedented, but we hope to start playing again in June and finish our 19-20 season this summer. To return is to win!" 

Spain's top flight was returning on Thursday with the Seville derby between Sevilla and Real Betis following a three-month suspension caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The game, behind closed doors at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, came as Spain continues to adhere to social distancing measures amid the COVID-19 crisis.

However, Tebas – while ruling out stadiums operating at full capacity – remains optimistic venues will be able to allow some spectators through the doors before the campaign comes to a close.

Speaking to reporters, LaLiga chief Tebas said: "Of course it won't be the entire stadium and there will be special precautionary measures.

"If we can have even 10 per cent or 15 per cent by the end of the season, if that happens we will be very happy about that because that's a sign that we are getting back to some form of normality.

"When we celebrate will be when we actually finish the competitions, both the first division and the second division. This crisis still hasn't come to an end.

"The pandemic is on a sharp decline. The return to stadiums would have to be coordinated by the ministry for health and the Consejo Superior de Deportes [the Sports Council], and it is obviously not going to be the whole stadium."

He added: "It is important that fans start to return."

Tebas again stated the 2020-21 LaLiga campaign will start on September 12, which could cause issues for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Getafe and Sevilla who are all still in European competitions that are due to be concluded in August.

"If we need to, we will adapt their fixture list, so that their games get played," Tebas added.

"They will start on September 19, September 26, it won't be easy [but] we will look for dates for them to [make up] those matches.

"You can't change things for 20 clubs to suit two; it is much better that those two adapt."

Spain is in a state of alarm amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with the government reporting on Sunday that 288 people had died from COVID-19.

With the country on lockdown, LaLiga has been postponed for at least the next two rounds of fixtures.

As the pandemic continues, UEFA's 55 member nations are due to meet on Tuesday to discuss the fate of this season's Champions League and Europa League, along with Euro 2020.

Doubts have been expressed over whether there will be time to complete the domestic seasons in Europe, although if Euro 2020 is postponed that could clear room in the schedule and Tebas is adamant the campaign will be finished.

"I am convinced that we are going to end the season. We are working with other leagues to match dates," said Tebas in an interview with radio station Cadena COPE.

"I have had contacts with Italy, Germany. The approach for now is to see what happens on Tuesday with Euro [2020] and then decide.

"The big clubs in Europe also have a hard time, not just the little ones.

"The news is to see how we finish the championship if there is no Euro because, if not, we are going to have serious problems. We must be in good health, which is the first thing, of course.

"If the competitions are suspended, everything is reviewed and the income is much lower. All team budgets will be compromised if the competition is not over, but I am convinced that it will end."

There is a tense title race ongoing in LaLiga this season, with Barcelona two points ahead of Real Madrid after 27 of 38 scheduled rounds of matches.

The majority of sports across the globe have been halted by the outbreak of COVID-19, with football seeing Euro 2020 and the Copa America pushed back to 2021 as a result.

Tebas is part of a working group set up by UEFA to devise solutions for the "resumption and/or conclusion of the current season in a coherent manner".

LaLiga's chief is confident things can be wrapped up by the end of June, though he acknowledged around six weeks of competition would be required.

"The fundamental scenario is that mid or late May is the latest starting date to end on June 30," said Tebas in an interview with El Pais.

"The scenario may also depend on some Champions League games that will be played at the weekend, which could give us some room to start some clubs later, or that we can recover by starting all a little later.

"We are even working with leagues like the Italian one, which has 14 games left, and the Danish one, which has 15 remaining. The decision of UEFA to postpone the European Championship has served us well to try to finish the competitions. 

"We made the calendar calculations even before the European Championship was postponed. It was a stage that we knew could be reached and we are working on various start dates.

"Here you have to work backwards, with what is the last date on which you could play to see the options that may arise.

"When we start playing there will be full medical guarantees, but that no longer depends on us, it will depend on the governments of the countries. If they guarantee that it can be played, it will be played."

Tebas insisted there are no plans to cut down on fixtures and admitted fans could be kept out of games when they resume.

He said: "That will also depend on the governments of each country. You have to think that we are working with 30 different leagues and it will depend on the health authorities if it is played behind closed doors or under what conditions.

"We are not considering any format change for any competition, including the European ones. The mandate that we have is to finish the competitions as they are now. The calendar with which it works is with the competitions in full and in their usual format.

"The only job that concerns me day and night is to finish the competitions."

The Spanish government has said it will support the resumption of matches from the week beginning June 8.

LaLiga had targeted June 12 for its first games since the coronavirus crisis caused the season to be suspended in March.

Now all efforts can be directed towards making that happen, with games to be played behind closed doors.

LaLiga president Tebas wrote on Twitter: "We are very pleased with the decision, it's the result of great work by clubs, players, coaches... CSD [National Sports Council], agents, etc.

"But it's very important to follow the health regulations and to respect the evolution of the pandemic, we can't lower our guard."

Barcelona lead Real Madrid by two points in the battle for the title, with all teams having 11 matches remaining.

The campaign was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 283,000 people worldwide.

Tebas has continually targeted mid-June as a resumption date and he reaffirmed that goal on Sunday.

"I don't know. It will depend on the phases. I wish it was June 12. It will depend on the phases," he told Movistar.

"It will depend on the spikes in the virus... the first and the second division will end at the same time.

"There will be football every day for 35 days."

It was confirmed on Sunday that five players across Spain's top two divisions had tested positive for COVID-19.

Tebas said that result was better than expected, and he hopes all players are clear when LaLiga resumes.

"We hope for the return of the competition almost no infected. If things are done as they should be, there shouldn't be," he said.

"If five infected appear at a club, it would denote some negligence. We are going to be on top [of it].

"There is a place where we have no control, which is when the players and coaches go home. They have been given a sheet of what to do."

LaLiga was suspended last month due to COVID-19, which has killed more than 218,000 people worldwide.

The Ligue 1 and Eredivisie seasons have been ended early and there is uncertainty over when, and if, numerous other leagues will resume.

But Tebas, the LaLiga president, is hopeful Spain's top flight is back underway in June.

"I hope the league can resume in mid-June," he told Movistar+ on Tuesday.

"There is time, no need to run. In June we can start the competition again. We have until June 28.

"We look forward to starting training again, we will see the date, but I see that we can finish the competition, which is very important."

Barcelona held a two-point lead over Real Madrid when the LaLiga season was suspended with 11 games left to play.

Spain has been hit hard by coronavirus, with more than 232,100 confirmed cases and a death toll exceeding 23,800.

Fati has enjoyed an impressive rise from Barca academy product to first-team star over the past two years, despite having to contend with a number of injury setbacks. 

Among a host of other records set since his debut in August 2019, Fati can lay claim to being Barca's youngest goalscorer and the youngest scorer in Champions League history.  

Mbappe is also no stranger to breaking records, not least becoming the youngest player in history to reach the 100-goal mark in Ligue 1 at 22 years and 91 days old in March.  

The World Cup winner is further along in his development than Fati, having made his senior breakthrough with Monaco in December 2015 before joining PSG two years later. 

While Mbappe is widely heralded as one of the most coveted players in world football, Tebas argues he is no better than Barca youngster Fati. 

"We always like to give a lot of value to what we have outside of Spain," Tebas told El Partidazo de Cope.  

"We have Ansu Fati, who unfortunately has had injuries, but over time he has shown that he is equal to or better than Mbappe." 

Fati, who inherited Lionel Messi's number 10 shirt at Camp Nou in September and recently signed a new long-term deal, has scored 17 goals in 51 appearances for Barca in all competitions. 

Over the same period, Mbappe has found the net 77 times in 97 games for PSG, netting at a rate of one goal every 98 minutes. Fati gets one every 138 minutes. 

Mbappe has also outperformed Fati in terms of assists, setting up his PSG team-mates 33 times compared to three for the Spain international. 

When comparing the players over the same point in their career, Mbappe also has the edge. 

Across his first 51 appearances for Monaco, which like Fati was made up of 27 starts and the rest from the substitutes' bench, Mbappe scored 24 times at a rate of one every 108 minutes and assisted 10 more. 

That includes a big-chance conversion return of 71 per cent at that stage in his career – which has since dropped to 48 – compared to 29 for Fati. 

The Ligue 1 outfit, who are owned by Qatar Sports Investments, are one of the highest-spending sides in European football, under the watch of chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

PSG's transactions have come under intense scrutiny from critics, with the club previously handed a €65million fine - with €55m suspended - for Financial Fair Play breaches.

Tebas, however, feels such repercussions are too soft on the French outfit, who he claims are dismantling the sport's rulebook.

"€10m for PSG and Nasser is a cup of coffee!" he told L'Equipe. "Sanctions have to be dissuasive and also affect the sporting side of things.

"That has not been the case with those that were taken. These penalties don’t work, they have to be sanctioned now.

"Over the last six or seven seasons, PSG have lost a billion euros. They are breaking the European football ecosystem.

"How can other clubs compete with someone who has losses of one billion euros? It’s difficult."

The season-ending Segunda Division encounter was called off shortly before its scheduled kick-off time last Monday after several Fuenlabrada players tested positive for coronavirus.

There are now 28 positive cases connected to the club and Fuenlabrada admitted in a statement on Sunday that "it is impossible to foresee when and under what conditions" the game could go ahead.

The statement suggested the Madrid outfit were willing to accept a permanent cancellation, an outcome that would resign them to an eighth-place finish and deny Jose Ramon Sandoval's charges the chance to compete in the four-team play-off for promotion to the top flight.

LaLiga responded by expressing its "absolute appreciation" for Fuenlabrada's "enormous sacrifice" and the league's president, Javier Tebas, publicly took responsibility for the awkward situation, tweeting: "FOOTBALL OWES YOU ONE."

But while LaLiga claimed it had communicated the "definitive suspension of the match" to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), and that sixth-placed Elche would retain the final play-off spot, the matter appears far from finished.

Fuenlabrada released a follow-up statement clarifying their view that the match could still take place in early August, adding: "We understand that LaLiga is not the only competent body to make this decision.

"The decision is also in the hands of the RFEF Competition Committee and, where appropriate, the CSD [National Sports Council].

"Fuenlabrada is not considered out of the play-off and remains pending the resolution of the other competent bodies."

Depor, who like Fuenlabrada have played a game fewer than 20 other Segunda Division sides, will be closely monitoring the developments.

The former top-flight title winners hoped to avoid relegation with a final-day victory and have threatened legal action over a postponement that has left them in limbo.

World Cup winner Mbappe was widely expected to join Real Madrid when his PSG contract expired in June but instead opted to sign a new three-year deal in the French capital.

That left Madrid and LaLiga infuriated, with Tebas claiming the agreement between PSG and the France international was "an insult to football".

Vincent Labrune, president of France's Professional Football League (LFP), responded by questioning LaLiga chief Tebas' "latest attacks against Ligue 1 and one of our clubs", calling his counterpart's behaviour "completely inappropriate".

France's National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) echoed Labrune's sentiments, suggesting Tebas' "offensive, hateful remarks, without restraint or foundation, bring shame and discredit to him".

But Tebas has once again hit back by promising to denounce PSG in an investigation as he questioned how the Ligue 1 champions can circumvent financial fair play guidelines.

"The complaint that we are going to file with UEFA has already been drafted and is being examined," Tebas said at a news conference on Tuesday. 

"But we are not going to stop there, we are going to go to France, we have already hired French lawyers and we are going to denounce the position of PSG before the economic control body.

"We are going to denounce this situation before the courts administrative there. We are not going to allow a European club to destroy the ecosystem of European football."

Tebas also claimed PSG had "lost €300-400million over the last three seasons", referencing reports from French newspaper L'Equipe as he continued his scathing summary of the Parisians.

"This year – it's L'Equipe who says it, not me – PSG will go up to €600m in payroll, they will end the season with a loss of €300m and with higher commercial incomes than Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barca, something nobody believes," he added.

"With these losses and a payroll of €600m, more than Madrid, than Barca, renewing Mbappe is impossible...if there is no deception in the sponsorship or higher capital contributions to what UEFA has established."

As for Labrune's previous response, Tebas insisted he would not comment before then going on to question Qatar Sports Investments' (QSI) ownership of PSG again.

"The problem is the attitude of the owners of the club, because they have no limits, they don't care about losses," he continued.

"They put in as much money as they want, they cheat you with sponsors linked to the state. That is the problem."