It's not because of football - Laporta slams players joining Saudi Arabian clubs

Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has slammed players who have decided to leave Europe for big-money deals in Saudi Arabia.

Since Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United for Al Nassr, a number of footballers have made the move to the Middle East.

However, Laporta believes they are not moving to the Saudi Pro League for the right reasons.

"When a player, and with all respect, prefers to go to Saudi Arabia, basically there are no sporting reasons.

"You know, there are other reasons that are the priority. And the football must be the priority - the sporting reasons must be the priority," Laporta told CNN.