Any Club That Buys Neymar Will Break FFP Rules - Barcelona

Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu has said that any club that wants to buy Neymar must break Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

The Brazilian forward has been linked with a world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain, with the Ligue 1 side ready to match the €222million release clause in Neymar’s contract.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Bartomeu sought to draw a line under the developing saga and warned PSG that they would be in breach of UEFA’s FFP rules, if they forced through a move for Neymar. 

“He has a contract for the coming four years and, of course, we count on him,” Bartomeu said.

“He’s part of our team. He’s part of this [attacking] trident [with Messi and Luis Suarez].

“These clauses are impossible to activate if you want to comply with Financial Fair Play. If someone doesn’t want to comply, then of course it can be activated.”

Neymar has scored 105 goals in 186 games for Barcelona since joining from Santos in 2013. He only signed a new five-year contract running until 2021 last October.

By Ifreke Inyang

Neymar Set To Leave Barcelona After Accepting A €222m Bid From PSG

Barcelona forward, Neymar has accepted an offer from Paris Saint-Germain and will move for a world-record transfer fee of €222 million.

Brazil news outlet, Esporte Interativo has added to uncertainty over the player’s future at Barcelona with the report of his imminent move away from Camp Nou.

Marca had reported on Monday that PSG were ready to pay the huge figure to land Neymar, following a report in Sport that he feels his development at Barcelona is being stifled by Lionel Messi.

The Brazil international would be in line to earn €30m a year in Paris and would link up with international teammates, including Dani Alves, Thiago Silva and Lucas Moura. 

The Manchester giants, City and United are also interest in signing the super forward, although it is claimed the size of the transfer fee could present a problem, even for them.

Sport reported yesterday that Neymar, who is under contract at Barca until 2021, feels unsettled having won every major club honour with the Blaugrana.

According to the outlet, Neymar would like to move on in order to become the main star and challenge for the Ballon d’Or, something he feels is not possible playing alongside Messi.

By John Owen Nwachukwu

Neymar Told To Leave Spanish Club, Barcelona

Barcelona forward, Neymar, has been encouraged to leave the club.

According to Sport, a member of team of representatives, has advised the Brazilian to move away from the Camp Nou, so he can “step out of the shadow of Lionel Messi”.

Neymar moved to Barca in 2013 and is under contract until 2021.

The new deal he signed last year, sees his current release clause standing at €200million.

Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked with the player recently.

Few days ago, his former agent, Wagner Ribeiro, revealed that he wanted Neymar to join Real Madrid, when he left Santos .

By Ifreke Inyang

Neymar To Miss El Clasico, As Barcelona's Appeal Is Thrown Out

Barcelona have had their appeal of Neymar’s three-match ban thrown out, by the committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Thursday.

The Catalan club were hoping to have the Brazilian forward available for Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid.

Neymar was handed the punishment, after getting sent off during Barcelona’s 2-0 defeat at Malaga earlier this month. The red card was his first in his four seasons with the club.

His first booking was for obstructing the taking of a free-kick by tying his laces, while the second yellow card was for a late challenge on Roberto Rosales.

Although that automatically carries a one-match ban, referee Jesus Gil Manzano wrote in his match report, that Neymar “sarcastically applauded” the fourth official as he left the pitch.

The RFEF competition committee then slammed an additional two-game ban, meaning Neymar will miss league games against Real Sociedad, Madrid and Osasuna

By Ifreke Inyang

Neymar Handed Extra Two-Match Suspension, To Miss El-Clasico

Brazilian superstar Neymar will miss a huge La Liga clash at Real Madrid on April 23 after being handed a three-game suspension, the Spanish federation said on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old forward was shown the first red card of his Barcelona career for two bookable offences as Barca’s title defence suffered a big blow in a 2-0 defeat at Malaga on Saturday.

However, he was handed an extra two-match suspension on top of the automatic one-game ban for sarcastically applauding the officials as he left the pitch.

Barcelona are expected to appeal the decision.

As well as missing a potential La Liga title decider at the Bernabeu, Neymar will be absent for home games against Real Sociedad and Osasuna.

Madrid lead Barca by three points at the top of the table but also have a game in hand as they close on a first league title in five years.

Neymar was booked in the first half at La Rosaleda for delaying a Malaga free-kick by tying his shoelaces in front of the ball and then charged into Roberto Rosales 25 minutes from time to see his second yellow card.

“I think the interpretation of the yellow cards is special,” said Barcelona boss Luis Enrique after the game.

“We have to be very careful in some games because there were some ugly challenges from behind that went unpunished and tying boots was.”

It is not the first time in recent weeks Neymar’s attention to detail with his boots caught the eye.

He changed his footwear whilst play was ongoing in Barca’s two previous games against Granada and Sevilla, leaving his side temporarily down to 10 men.

Neymar has a highly lucrative long-term sponsorship deal with Nike with suggestions his antics may be to ensure his boots get extra time on camera.

AFP