The Spanish football league rejected the payment of Barcelona star Neymar's 222 million euro (263 million dollars) release clause on Thursday, as he tries to leave the club and sign for Paris Saint-Germain.
The Spanish league's governing body (LFP) told dpa that two people appeared at their headquarters in Madrid to pay the fee but their cheque was rejected.
LA LIGA SPOKESPERSON CONFIRMS
La Liga refused to accept the payment of Neymar's 222 million euro ($260 million) buyout clause, a league spokesperson confirmed on Thursday, potentially delaying the Brazilian's world record move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.
"We can confirm that the legal representatives of the player attended La Liga to pay the clause and this has been rejected," the spokesperson told AFP.
BARCA GIVE PERMISSON TO NEYMAR
Barcelona announced Monday that Neymar wanted to leave the club and had been given permission to miss training sessions until his future was resolved.
The 25-year-old is poised to become the most expensive player in history, although La Liga's block threatens to delay his switch to the Ligue 1 champions.
LFP PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES VIA MEDIA THEY WILL BLOCK TRANSFER DUE TO FAIR PLAY
LFP president Javier Tebas told Spanish newspaper AS on Tuesday that his organization would not accept Neymar's release fee being paid because they believe it infringes on Financial Fair Play and European Union rules.
Neymar's team-mates, including Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, have already bid the Brazilian star farewell on their social media networks.
NEYMAR AND HIS ADVISERS TO TURN TO FIFA
Spain's Marca newspaper reported that Neymar and his advisers would turn to FIFA, world soccer's governing body, requesting a provisional transfer to PSG.
The Brazilian striker's agent Wagner Ribeiro had said on Wednesday that the French club was ready to foot the bill so that Neymar could be presented at PSG at the weekend.
PRESIDENT TEBAS WARNS IN AN INTERVIEW
La Liga president, Javier Tebas, had already warned in an interview that Spain's league would not accept payment by PSG to trigger the release clause, saying it was potentially in breach of UEFA Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Under the those rules, a club's wage bill must not exceed 70 percent of its revenue.
UEFA, European football's governing body, told Reuters on Wednesday that had been no complaint received so far about PSG in this respect, adding that it would not block any potential deal in advance.
