It is customary for the managers of a football club to notify their counterparts if there is interest in one of their players. It is even a rule issued by Fifa. Has FC Barcelona violated it?
Spanish justice has delved into this matter, reported in particular Mundo Deportivo And Sporttwo Catalan media. The Braugana club would have contacted Antoine Griezmann, with a view to his transfer in 2019, without the authorization of Atlético de Madrid, his employer.
But there is something a little more serious, it seems. So that the Colchoneros do not bring the matter before the football authorities, FC Barcelona would have paid 15 million euros to Atlético. Like a smell of corruption.
Bartomeu faces criticism
And so that this payment could appear legal, particularly in the eyes of the Spanish Federation, the operation would have been disguised as a right of pre-emption over several young Atlético players, continues the Catalan press.
The Griezmann file is among others as part of an investigation aimed at controlling the management of Barça under the presidency of Josep Maria Bartomeu. Antoine Griezmann was recruited in July 2019 for 120 million euros.
