FIFA has opened investigation into a complaint made by Neymar, in relation to an unpaid loyalty bonus from Barcelona. Barca are refusing to pay €26million, which was included in the contract extension Neymar signed with the club last October.
The club insist the player was in breach of the terms of that contract, when he negotiated his world-record €222m transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. They claim his actions rendered the clause null and void.
Neymar’s father, who also acts as his agent, accused Barca of “blackmail” in their refusal to pay and FIFA is now looking into the matter.
“The matter … is pending and being investigated. As a result, we are not in a position to comment on it,” a spokesperson from world football’s governing body said.
Barca spokesperson Jordi Vives has previously stated:
“There were three conditions [to the loyalty bonus]: one, that the player does not negotiate with another club in the last three months before July 31.
“Two, that he will express publicly his commitment to fulfil his contract.
“Three, the collection was to be made on September 1, to ensure that he did not go to another club.
“Now that we know that none of these three conditions were met, we will not honour that bonus.”
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