BREAKING: Neymar’s release clause has been paid. He is no longer a Barcelona player.
Technically, legally-speaking the way release clauses work, Neymar is now a free agent! Obviously he will imminently sign his PSG contract.
A statement from Barcelona said: “On Thursday afternoon Neymar Jr’s legal representatives visited in person the Club’s offices and made the payment of 222 million euros in the player’s name with regards to the unilateral termination of the contract that united both parties.
As such, the Club will pass on to UEFA the details of the above operation so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case.”
Earlier in the day, La Liga refused to accept the payment of the release clause by Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG were told by La Liga president Javier Tebas earlier this week that they would not accept the release clause – and warned a complaint would be filed to UEFA over an apparent FFP breach.