Atletico Madrid Release Statement on Antoine Griezmann and Barcelona

The Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona rumours have been running for quite a while now in the media. However, it seems that Atletico Madrid have responded to the statements made by Barcelona FC President, ​​Josep María Bartomeu.

Back in May, Antoine Griezmann informed Miguel Gil, Diego Simeone and Andrea Berta of his decision to leave the club at the end of the season. Since then, Atlético de Madrid found out that FC Barcelona and Griezmann reached an agreement in March itself. This occurred, mere days after the second leg of the team’s Champions League tie against Juventus. To further complicate matters, they had been negotiating the terms of the agreement since mid-February.

The statement continued, “In reference to President Bartomeu’s statement made today, we want to state that it is true that yesterday there was a meeting between Miguel Ángel Gil and the Football Club Barcelona CEO, Oscar Grau, at the request of Barcelona and that at that meeting, Mr. Grau expressed his intention, once the clause of rescission of the contract of Antoine Griezmann and have passed from 200 to 120 million euros, request a postponement of the payment of the aforementioned amount of the current clause as of July 1.”

Naturally, Atletico Madrid was furious and alleged that FC Barcelona and Antoine Griezmann disrespected the club and its fans. In response, Atletico requested Griezmann, his sister/agent and his lawyer, that he must appear for the pre-season, in compliance with his contractual obligations.

Atletico Madrid were thoroughly disgusted with the behavior of both factions, especially Barcelona. The La Liga giants were accused of inducing the player to break his contractual relationship with Atletico during the season. This was at a time when the club was playing in the Champions League against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus and competing for the League title with FC Barcelona. 

“It is something that we consider violates protected periods of negotiation with players and alters the basic rules that govern the integrity of all sports competition, besides being a huge loss to our club and its millions of fans.”