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Barcelona is suing Neymar for 8.5 million euros (10 million US dollars) for breach of contract as they want him to return the bonus he was paid when he signed a new five-year deal in October that he broke when he joined Paris St Germain on a world-record transfer, the Spanish club said on Tuesday.
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar walks on the pitch prior to the French L1 football match Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs Toulouse FC (TFC) at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on August 20, 2017.
The Catalans are also asking for an additional 10 percent payment due to a delay in their demands being met.
"Barcelona has taken these actions in defense of their interests after Neymar's contract was rescinded just a few months after he signed on until 2021," a club statement said.
Brazilian striker Neymar, who joined PSG earlier this month after the French club triggered his 222 million euros (262 million US dollars) release clause, said he was surprised by the decision but warned he was not going to give in.
"It is noteworthy that this news was received with surprise, since the athlete completely fulfilled the contract then in force, with the full deposit of the amounts set out in the buy-out clause freely agreed with FC Barcelona for his release," Neymar's representatives said in a statement.
The statement added that the 25-year-old forward's lawyers were preparing a formal defense to the demands.
PSG activated Neymar's release clause as Barcelona was unwilling to negotiate the sale of one of their best players.
Neymar of Barcelona vies for the ball during the International Champions Cup football match at Hard Rock Stadium on July 29, 2017, in Miami, Florida.
Barcelona has passed the complaint to the Spanish football federation (RFEF) after first filing the lawsuit in court, as well as demanding PSG subsidize it, should Neymar not be able to take responsibility for it.
PSG brushed off that suggestion and said they had done all that was required of them.
"Paris Saint-Germain reiterates that, like Neymar Jr., it has always respected all applicable laws and rules in its dealings and, once again, regrets the attitude of FC Barcelona," the club said in a statement.
In the days after he signed for the French club, Barcelona refused to pay the reported 26 million euro (about 30.5 million US dollar) installment of the loyalty bonus which he was due to receive this summer, citing breach of contract.
On Sunday, Neymar criticized the Barcelona board after helping PSG beat Toulouse in Ligue 1.
"I am disappointed with them (Barcelona directors). I spent four very happy years there and left happy, but not with them. For me, they shouldn't be in charge of Barcelona. Barca deserve much better and everyone knows this," Neymar said.
(REUTERS)
