PSG football star Neymar was ordered by a court to pay £6 million to former Barcelona club after a court settlement hearing – after he had demanded payment of £39 million in unpaid bonuses from the club in a lawsuit.
Neymar came to Barcelona in 2013 from Brazilian club Santos and joined PSG four years later in a mammoth money-spinning deal.
Neymar, 28, sued Barcelona in hopes of getting money he believed Barca owed him after signing for the Spanish club in 2013, but surprisingly Neymar was ordered to pay Barcelona.
Barcelona have now responded to the ruling, stating that the club will remain prepared if Neymar appeals the ruling.
In a statement, a Barcelona spokesman said: “FC Barcelona expresses its satisfaction with the ruling announced today by Social Court 15 in Barcelona in connection with the legal dispute between FC Barcelona and the player Neymar Jr. regarding the amount of the signing bonus when the player’s contract is finally renewed.
“The ruling has completely dismissed the player’s claim for payment of 43.6 million euros.
“[It] has also accepted a large part of the defence put forward by FC Barcelona, as a result of which the player will have to repay 6.7 million euros to the club.
“Since the player’s representative has the right to appeal against this decision, the club will continue to defend its legitimate interests vigorously.