Barcelona fans take legal action over Messi's transfer to PSG

Robin Bairner

19 Oct 2022 12:08 BST
3 min read

A group of disgruntled Barcelona supporters have taken Paris Saint-Germain to court over the transfer of Lionel Messi to the Ligue 1 club in 2021.

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Messi departed Barcelona last summer under the freedom of contract laws following the expiration of his contract at Camp Nou. Although he wanted to remain at the club, it proved impossible because of Barca’s poor financial situation. PSG swooped, and after a difficult first campaign, Messi has impressed at Parc des Princes in his second season.

A small band of Barca fans, though, have been left upset that PSG were able to sign Messi and have launched an appeal for the European Commission to investigate the deal.

Essentially what they claim is that QSI’s ownership of the Ligue 1 champions has distorted the marketplace for footballers and should be considered a form of illegal state backing.

They were listened to in Luxembourg for three hours on Tuesday, with a decision on the case expected shortly before Christmas.

'Illegal state aid'

Their argument is based around the fact that the deal should not have been allowed to proceed by the French football authorities, who claim they want the European Court to “order the French Football Federation to immediately cease any … distortion of competition and to bring itself into compliance with Uefa club licensing and financial fair play regulations”. This is based on the assertion that PSG are receiving “illegal state aid”.

In essence, the Barcelona supporters no longer want football’s governing bodies to be in control of the game’s finances but want the European Court to hold greater jurisdiction over such matters.

The Guardian reports that PSG issued a brief statement that said: “There is nothing to comment on – PSG isn’t even a party to the case.” Meanwhile, France’s League (LFP) did not issue a comment.

The case takes place as a renewed European Super League picks up steam, with Barcelona among the clubs at the forefront.