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Barcelona sue Neymar over breach of contract

August 22, 2017

The fallout between Neymar and Barcelona has continued, with the soccer club now suing its former superstar. The labor lawsuit was submitted eight days after the forward moved to PSG for a reported world-record fee.

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Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain
Image: picture-alliancedpa/AP/K. Zihnioglu

Barcelona is suing Neymar for 8.5 million euros ($10 million) in damages for failing to honor his contract, the club said in a statement released Tuesday.

They are also demanding a return of a loyalty bonus given to Neymar when he signed a contract extension last October "as he has not completed his contract." The club also wants an additional 10 percent due to the delay of their demands being met after presenting the lawsuit to the Labor Tribunal in Barcelona on August 11.

Read more: How do you replace the irreplaceable Neymar?

Neymar clapping his hands
Neymar was critical of his former club after PSG beat Toulouse on SundayImage: picture-alliance/dpa/AP/K. Zihnioglu

"Barcelona have taken these actions in defense of their interests after Neymar's contract was rescinded just a few months after he signed on until 2021," the club's statement said.

Barcelona have sent the labor lawsuit to the Spanish Football Federation so they can "pass it on to the French Football Federation and FIFA for legal purposes."

They have also urged Paris Saint Germain (PSG), the club to which Neymar moved in August for a 222 million euro ($261 million) fee, meet the payment request should Neymar "not take responsibility." PSG responded in their own statement saying they have "always respected all applicable laws and rulings in its dealings and, once again, regrets the attitude of FC Barcelona."

Opinion: Neymar's transfer exposes financial fair play as the myth it is

Neymar, who played a part in four of PSG's six goals in a 6-2 win over Toulouse over the weekend, made fierce criticisms of his former employers after the game.

"I am upset with the Barcelona board," he told reporters. "They are people that should not be at the club. Barcelona deserves more and everyone knows it."

dv/rt (AFP, dpa, Reuters)