BARCELONA: Spain’s football league refused to accept a 222 million euro ($260 million) cheque on Friday in a new twist to Neymar’s ‘transfer of the century’ from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. Representatives of the 25-year-old Brazilian were turned away from the Madrid headquarters of La Liga after their payment to meet Barcelona’s buyout clause was refused by officials who have accused the French club of breaching transfer rules. “We can confirm that the legal representatives of the player attended La Liga to pay the clause and this has been rejected,” a spokesperson said. The move may delay Neymar’s transfer but is unlikely to derail it, according to experts.
LIGUE 1 INTERVENES
Later, the French league stepped into the Neymar transfer affair, calling on their Spanish counterparts not to block the Brazilian’s move to PSG.
The French body urged the Spanish league “to stick to Fifa’s rules and its responsibilities” to allow the 25-year-old’s world record switch to the French capital.
“The LFP is astonished and does not understand La Liga’s refusal to simply accept payment of the release clause,” a statement read.
It added that the LFP has put its legal team at PSG’s disposal to resolve the issue “in order that Neymar’s contract can be resolved with the minimum delay.
“The LFP supports Paris Saint-Germain and wishes Neymar’s arrival in the Ligue 1 championship.”
However, the player, initially expected in Paris later on Thursday, is now due to arrive a day later, according to airport sources in Paris.
In the French capital there is huge excitement at PSG’s Qatari-backed project landing a star name to finally make them feared among European football’s elite. “Neymar to PSG — the transfer of the century”, splashed Le Parisien’s front page with the first five pages devoted to his impending arrival.
“Neymar could be wearing the parisian shirt from this week,” added Le Parisien with a possible presentation to take place at PSG’s Ligue 1 opener at home to Amiens on Saturday.
French President Emmanuel Macron added to the anticipation, saying the move was “good news.”
Fair play
The mood was understandably more sombre in Spain.
Madrid-based sports daily AS ran with “pay and go” alongside a smiling Neymar, whilst Marca described the move as “the signing that changes the history of football.
In Barcelona, attention turned to who the Catalans can sign to replace Neymar in the month before the transfer window closes with Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele both linked.
There was also scepticism at the role played by PSG’s owners Oryx Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) at a time of political crisis for the oil rich state emirate which has been boycotted by its Gulf neighbours in recent months and will play host to the World Cup in 2022.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo described the move as a “state signing.”
Whilst coaches, including Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, have lamented that the move could cause even greater inflation in transfer fees and player wages, France’s Budget Minister claimed to be “delighted” Neymar will earn a reported 30 million euros after tax.
“If in fact Neymar does come to a French club, the budget minister will be delighted at the tax that he will be able to pay in France,” Darmanin told France Inter radio.
PSG’s finances will come under heavy scrutiny in the years to come with both La Liga and Barcelona threatening to report the French giants to European football’s governing body for breaches of financial fair play regulations (FFP). Clubs can be sanctioned by Uefa for making a loss of more than 30 million euros over a three-year period.
According to reports Neymar underwent a medical in Porto on Wednesday after saying his goodbyes to his Barcelona team-mates before returning to the Catalan capital late on Wednesday night.
By leaving Barca, Neymar is stepping out from under the shadow of five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi to try and prove himself as the world’s best.
“It was a huge pleasure having shared all those years with you, my friend @neymarjr,” Messi posted on Instagram alongside a montage displaying some of the pair’s finest moments together on Wednesday.
“Thanks brother. I will miss you man,” Neymar replied. — AFP
Neymar factfile
Full name: Neymar da Silva Santos Junior
Date of birth: February 5, 1992 (age 25)
Place of birth: Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil
Height: 1.75m (five feet, nine inches)
Position: Left wing/forward
Senior international debut: v USA, August 10, 2010
International caps: 77
International goals: 52
Clubs: Santos (BRA) 2009-2013, Barcelona (ESP) 2013-2017, Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 2017 present (deal still to be finalised)
Major club honours: Champions League (2015), 2x La Liga (2015, 2016), 3x Copa Del Rey (2015, 2016, 2017), Club World Cup (2015), Copa Libertadores (2011), Campeonato Paulista (2010, 2011, 2012), Copa do Brasil (2010)
Major international honours: Olympic gold medal (2016), Confederations Cup (2013)
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