Barcelona have been forced to pay one of their former players £7.5 million after releasing him by email.
Midfielder Matheus Fernandes joined the Catalan club from Brazilian side Palmeiras in a deal worth £6 million back in January 2020.
Fernandes was loaned out to Real Valladolid straight away but after making just three appearances, it was clear that he was never going to become a regular player for Barcelona.
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In total, Fernandes played just 17 minutes of first-team football for the Camp Nou club when he came on as a late substitute against Dynamo Kyiv.
Despite having a contract until the end of the 24/25 season, Fernandes and Barcelona parted ways in the summer of 2021.
Fernandes was extremely unhappy with his apparent dismissal and decided to take the club to court, demanding £13 million.
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According to Spanish news outlets such as El Espanol and Que Thi Jugues, a Catalan court has now ordered Barcelona to pay £7.5 million to Fernandes.
The 24-year-old has previously described his Barcelona exit, stating that he was told the news via an email.
Fernandes told Globoesporte: “I didn’t know [about being released], and when they told me I couldn’t believe it. I was at home, I was going out with my wife and I received a message from the club asking if I had the same email address. I confirmed and then received it.
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“I didn’t understand it, I sent it to my manager and lawyer. They said it was my dismissal.
“Time passed and my name came out in the press. No conversation, nothing, they didn’t even call to say hello and goodbye.”
Fernandes added that he always dreamt about playing for Barcelona but stated that he was not treated as a footballer.
Since leaving Barcelona, Fernandes returned to Palmeiras and has also spent time on loan at Athletico Paranaense and Red Bull Bragantino.
Marcus Chan