Atletico fed up over Barca’s pursuit of Griezmann

MADRID, May 9 — Atletico Madrid chief Miguel Angel Gil Marin attacked Barcelona yesterday over their pursuit of highly-prized striker Antoine Griezmann, saying w88 he was “fed up” with the Catalan club’s attitude.

Marin issued his strongly worded rebuke hours after a Spanish radio station reported that Barcelona were poised to pay the French international’s €100 million (RM475 million0 release clause. The Atletico CEO said the club’s stance was very clear. “Not once have we negotiated for Griezmann nor do we have any intention to do so,” he said in a statement issued on the team’s official website.

“A few months ago, I personally expressed to Barcelona’s president w88 promotion that our player isn’t for sale nor are we going to sell him,” he continued. “At the same time, I let him know that his inappropriate conduct was against the integrity of the competition...” The uncertainty over Griezmann’s future could not have come at a worse time for Atletico as they prepare for next week’s Europa League final against Marseille. Marin added: “We’re fed up with Barcelona’s attitude.

“That a president, player and a board member m88 speak the way they’ve done about the future of a player with an existing contract and just a few days before disputing a European final, is an absolute lack of respect towards Atletico.” He said Atletico would be demanding compensation from Barcelona should “the player exercise his right to nullify his contract due to their pressure throughout the season”. He finished off by declaring “enough is enough. I hope this statement serves its purpose and that us Atletico fans can enjoy this moment and prepare ourselves for a final like we should.”

Marin’s plea followed a report by Cadena Cope radio station m88 sports betting that “Barcelona have told Atletico Madrid they are going to pay Antonie Griezmann’s get out clause. And Atletico know the player will be leaving at the end of the season”. That came after Atletico president Enrique Cerezo refused to clarify Griezmann’s future after domestic media suggested Cerezo had met the player for dinner in a bid to persuade the Frenchman to stay at Atletico, with the promise of a bumper new contract.

Cerezo has denied meeting Griezmann for talks but the Atletico president was also not definitive on the 27-year-old’s future. “I can tell you one thing: Antoine Griezmann is an Atletico Madrid player as of today,” Cerezo said. “I cannot tell you anything else because I do not know anything else.” Barca were forced in January to deny publicly they had agreed a deal to sign Griezmann, who has indicated he wants his future resolved before the start of the World Cup.