August 25 – While Europe’s top players were focussed on picking up awards and Champions League draws, Europe’s most expensive player, Neymar, was focussing on what he is good at, chasing down money.
Neymar’s management company management group N & N Consultoria said that Neymar is suing his former club Barcelona for a €26 million unpaid loyalty bonus that was included in the contract that he signed with the club last November.
The statement said Neymar “has already initiated the formal procedure of collection before the competent forum.”
This news was added to a comment acknowledging the news that Barcelona said they were suing the new Paris St-Germain player for €8.5 million as they want Neymar to return the bonus paid when he signed his five year contract extension.
“It is noteworthy that this news was received with surprise, since the Athlete fully complied with the contract then in force, with the full deposit of the amounts freely agreed with FC Barcelona for their release.
“Nevertheless, upon the regular citation and after the full analysis of the demand promoted by the Club, the Athlete’s formal defense will be presented in due course,” said the statement.
Ruth Kennedy, barrister in the sports team at 2 Temple Gardens, commented: “Barcelona suing Neymar for various damages comes as a wake up call to the football industry. It is a sharp reminder that players cannot disregard their contractual obligations, just like any other employee. This is true even where the transfer is for a record-breaking amount of money.
“However, whether the club will succeed in law is yet to be decided and will ultimately turn on the wording of the contract between Barcelona and Neymar. This Barcelona board has history with this type of action; the unsuccessful claim against President Joan Laporta springs to mind.”
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