La Liga posted losses of 892 million euros for the ­pandemic-hit 2020-21 season, with Barcelona accounting for more than half of the shortfall, according to figures announced by the Spanish league this week.

Barca were responsible for 56 percent of La Liga's net pre-tax losses during that season as Spanish clubs suffered the financial consequences of empty stadiums and reduced matchday income.

Less transfer activity, compressed television schedules and a drop-off in commercial income also had a significant impact, the league said.

La Liga clubs posted total revenues of 3.818 billion euros (4.022 billion dollars) for 2020-21, which represented a 24.1 percent decrease on the 2019-20 season, which was also hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, but only in the last few months. Matchday income and player sales were down 53 percent and 52 percent respectively in 2020-21.

It is the first time the Spanish top flight has made a loss since 2012 but the league expects to recover completely in the next two seasons.

"The high financial solvency and responsibility of most clubs has helped Spanish professional football overcome this crisis," the league said in a statement. "A strong recovery is expected in the 2021-22 season while in 2023-24 full normality should be achieved."

La Liga's losses were exacerbated by Barcelona's dreadful financial situation, which led to the resignation of the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu in October 2020 and Lionel Messi leaving for free in August last year.