Inter CEO Beppe Marotta claimed that outstanding bonuses for winning the title will be honoured and that meetings with players have already been scheduled.
The Nerazzurri take on Sampdoria in their first match since being crowned champions of Serie A last weekend, having opened up an unassailable 13-point lead at the top of the table.
In an interview with Italian television broadcaster Sky Sport Italia ahead of the match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Marotta insisted that there were no tensions behind the scenes and that he just wanted the day to be a moment of celebration for the team and the fans.
“My personal feeling is that this is a feeling that is reward for the efforts and the work done by Inter fans, players and staff, it is an extraordinary moment,” Marotta declared.
“Today is a time of great celebration for everyone, it is right that Conte and the team especially enjoy it. I can clearly say that there are no tensions. But I can confirm that talks with individual players will start next week to discuss with the players the issues of football in general and of Inter in the light of the pandemic that has created so many problems.”
Amidst suggestions that the Nerazzurri players and staff would be asked to forego bonuses for winning the title in an effort to combat financial woes, Marotta insisted that they would be honoured.
“In the meantime, I confirm that the bonuses will be respected and paid out because they are the result of a well-deserved achievement by the entire technical team. It is right that the club recognises it. For the rest, it is a snapshot of where football is at the moment.”
The former Juventus director also warned that mounting debts at the club were as a result of an outdated model in football and urged changes across the game.
“Today’s model is no longer sustainable. It sees labour costs always at risk of rising and any club would be close to defaulting. We must work on cost containment and the enhancement of resources but it’s not easy at this moment.
“There are no responsibilities, it is a situation that has arisen due to contractual commitments that had already been agreed and it could not be done otherwise. The club has spent millions of euros to win, now we will have to work to make adjustments.”
However, Marotta hit back at claims that Inter have been unable commit funds to new players since January, whilst refusing to commit to transfer speculation ahead of the match against Sampdoria.
“I think that this has been exploited, Inter have shown willingness to negotiate, there has been no turnaround. When it comes to availability you have to negotiate and find the conditions that were not previously there, which is why there has been no progress.
“It is clear that in a moment of difficulty the funds are a great tool, if the opportunity arises again we will return to negotiate, obviously always in the interest of the club.
“We have a strong squad and we respect it. The work of the big clubs is always to strengthen ourselves, but now we want to enjoy the Scudetto which is an extraordinary achievement. Today we are thinking about this and then we will evaluate calmly in the future,” Marotta concluded.
