Barcelona have been fined €300 by the Royal Spanish Football Federation for their conduct in the transfer of Antoine Griezmann.
Barca signed the Frenchman for a fee of €120million during the summer transfer window, a sum which triggered his release fee at Atletico Madrid.
However, Atletico were unhappy with how the deal occurred. Griezmann's release clause only kicked in on July 1st, with the figure having been set at €200million prior to that date.
Atletico believed that their La Liga rivals had agreed personal terms with the striker before the month of July, and as such should have to pay the larger release fee. It is believed they may have been negotiating with the player as early as March, a clear violation on anti-tampering rules.
The case has now been settled. Marca are reporting that instead of being forced to cough up another €80million, Barcelona have been handed a far more palatable fine of €300.
Yes, €300! In other words, 0.0005% of what they pay Lionel Messi every week.
What's the point? This seems to be a move from the Spanish authorities to acknowledge Barcelona's wrongdoing without actually enforcing any real punishment. We suspect this will be of little consolation to Atletico, who lost their best player for a reduced fee.
While Griezmann has notched three goals and two assists for Barcelona so far this season, the team has struggled as a whole. They currently sit in fifth place in La Liga having taken only six games from their opening six games.
