By David Awopetu
Neymar has been ordered to pay Barcelona €6.7 million following a dispute based around a €43m renewal bonus included in the last contract he signed with the club in 2016.
The Brazilian forward received the sum of €14m of the bonus before leaving Barcelona, who deposited the remaining amount with a notary once it became evident he was signing for Paris Saint-Germain.
The club’s statement said “Barcelona expresses its satisfaction with the verdict announced today in relation to the lawsuit involving FC Barcelona and the player Neymar Jr. regarding the amount of the signing bonus in the final renewal of the player’s contract.
“The ruling has fully dismissed the player’s claim for payment of €43.6 million, and has accepted a large part of the defence presented by FC Barcelona, as a result of which the player must return €6.7 million euros to the club.
“Since the player’s representative is entitled to appeal this decision, the club shall continue to fervently defend its legitimate interests.”
Neymar reserves the right to appeal the decision and has five days to do so
