December 21 – A fresh player power dispute is making headlines in France where Paris St Germain are refusing to select midfielder Adrien Rabiot for “disrespecting” the club by refusing to sign a new contract.
Rabiot has been at loggerheads with the PSG hierarchy in recent months with his present contract expiring at the end of the season.
Widely linked with a move to Barcelona, he has been indefinitely benched by PSG whose supporters unveiled a banner during a league cup game on Tuesday stating: ‘We do not need you, Rabiot’.
The case is a classic example of a player brought through a club’s academy and then moving on with little or no compensation to the club where he was developed.
According to reports, Barcelona initiated talks with Rabiot’s agent over a potential Bosman free transfer, which could even see him sign a contract with the LaLiga giants in the January window.
“It always surprises us that clubs don’t follow the rules,” said PSG sporting director Antero Henrique of Barcelona’s conduct surrounding Rabiot, more specifically accusing the Nou Camp club of agreeing a contract with the player outside the permitted six-month window for Bosman transfers and without permission.
Rabiot’s mother and agent, Veronique, announced this week that the player’s decision to leave was “firm and definitive” and was a case of freedom to choose rather than money.
Rabiot has received support from the players union FIFpro which said he “has the right not to sign” a new deal.
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