August 3 – As the football world awaits the official unveiling of Neymar’s world record €222 million move from Barcelona to Paris St Germain, reaction to the deal is coming in thick and fast led by Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp who has slammed the fee as flying in the face of UEFA’s attempt to cut down excessive spending.
UEFA introduced Financial Fair Play in 2012 to stop clubs spending more than they earn and try and bring about a more equitable playing field.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has already said he is ready to file a complaint and now Klopp has now added his voice to those concerned about spending getting out of control.
“There are clubs who can pay fees like that – Man City and PSG,” Klopp said of the Neymar deal, the ramifications which will be felt right across the continent. “Everyone knows that.”
“I thought that [Financial] Fair Play was made so that situations like that can’t happen. But that’s more of a suggestion than a real rule. I don’t know and I don’t understand that. I don’t know how it happens. I hope that it will stay an exception, but you don’t know.”
Media reaction to the deal has been typically forthright with the news that the Brazilian will earn €865,000 a week.
“The signing that changes the history of football,” screamed Spanish newspaper Marca.
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