FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has suggested that a worsening of the "social and political" situation in Qatar has led the club to question its commercial relationship with the Gulf State.
The deal with Qatar Sports Investments worth 165 million euros was signed by former club president Sandro Rosell in 2010, when Bartomeu was a club vice-president.
5 year-165 million euros contract was controversial at the time and has since been criticized by prominent figures including former club president Joan Laporta.
The future of the Qatar sponsorship, which expires in 2016, is likely to be one of the major topics of discussion in the build-up to this summer's presidential election at the Camp Nou.
Bartomeu told Catalan media that change in the situation in Qatar meant the club were reassessing the deal:
"We will look at other options -- we are obliged to do that"
"It ends in 2016. We are sensitive to the current situation in Qatar, which has changed since four years ago. Now there are social and political aspects which were not there when we signed."
"We must be sensitive about what is happening and make the best decision for Barcelona. [Agents] IMG are studying it and working with us. We will see when it happens in October 2015."
The deal with Qatar Sports Investments worth 165 million euros was signed by former club president Sandro Rosell in 2010, when Bartomeu was a club vice-president.
5 year-165 million euros contract was controversial at the time and has since been criticized by prominent figures including former club president Joan Laporta.
The future of the Qatar sponsorship, which expires in 2016, is likely to be one of the major topics of discussion in the build-up to this summer's presidential election at the Camp Nou.
Bartomeu told Catalan media that change in the situation in Qatar meant the club were reassessing the deal:
"We will look at other options -- we are obliged to do that"
"It ends in 2016. We are sensitive to the current situation in Qatar, which has changed since four years ago. Now there are social and political aspects which were not there when we signed."
"We must be sensitive about what is happening and make the best decision for Barcelona. [Agents] IMG are studying it and working with us. We will see when it happens in October 2015."
