Atletico Madrid lash out at Barcelona over Griezmann pursuit

09 May 2018 - 09:48 By Reuters
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Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann (L) vies with Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona against Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 04, 2018.
Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann (L) vies with Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona against Club Atletico de Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 04, 2018.
Image: LLUIS GENE / AFP

Europa League finalists Atletico Madrid hit out at Barcelona, saying they were "fed up" with the attitude of the Spanish champions regarding France striker Antoine Griezmann.

Griezmann, one of Atletico's key players, has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp at the end of the season, with Spanish media reporting that Barca are willing to pay his $118.64 million release clause.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Monday he had spoken to Griezmann's agent, while the Catalan club's forward Luis Suarez told Uruguayan radio Griezmann was not coming to the Nou Camp to force anyone out of the team.

"We're fed up with Barcelona's attitude," said Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin in a statement on the club's website atleticodemadrid.com.

"(Speaking) about the future of a player with a current contract just a few days before disputing a European final is an absolute lack of respect towards Atletico Madrid and their fans."

Marin said Atletico, who are second in La Liga and face Olympique de Marseille in the Europa League final on May 16, told Barcelona "a few months ago" that Griezmann was not for sale and they would not negotiate.

"I let (Bartomeu) know his inappropriate conduct was against the integrity of the competition, especially as we've been competing for the title and Barcelona have been continuously pressuring one of the most important players in our squad," added Marin.


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