Barca probed over Griezmann?

Barcelona could face a FIFA probe for holding talks with Antoine Griezmann, despite the Atletico Madrid ace having four years left on his contract.

AS reports Barca chief Josep Maria Bartomeu has attracted the wrath of FIFA following his admission that he spoke to Griezmann’s agent last year.

The governing body’s statute concerning transfers reads that clubs can only negotiate with players once they enter the final six months of their contracts.

The newspaper notes the Blaugrana believe they were allowed to speak to the representative due to the presence of a release clause in the Frenchman’s Atleti deal.

However, this would not be acceptable in the eyes of FIFA, who previously fined Roma for approaching Philippe Mexes earlier than legally possible.

Chelsea faced the same fate for inducing former Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla attacker Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens and sign for them in 2009.

Both clubs were also handed transfer bans, although they were later lifted, whereas Barca could not register any new players between January and June 2015 for breaches over the signing of minors.

Tags Antoine Griezmann FIFA
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