I don't believe it's just a rumour. But, like you I think, I'm sure it will get resolved.
I also don't believe Paul Barber has much to do with any disagreement, but I could see him being instrumental in resolving it. This demonisation of Paul Barber is bizarre.
Don't shoot the messenger. None of these may be true and, in the case of the first one, even if it's true now, it might not be true by the time the season starts. So...
1. Pies. Some sort of commercial thingummy has happened and Piglets and Sodexo may no longer be working together. (As above...