Lionel Messi is facing a £1.1million fine and a suspension from Barcelona if his legal team fail with their “free agent” argument after he failed to turn up to the club’s training ground twice in the last three days.
The club captain did not report for training on Tuesday, while also missing coronavirus testing with the rest of the squad on Sunday.
The Argentine has made no secret of his desire to leave Barcelona this summer, and has taken matters into his own hands. It is said that Messi no longer considers himself an employee of the club.
But his latest actions could land him in some serious hot water – especially if he fails to force a move away from the Nou Camp.
In accordance with “the collective agreement of LaLiga and the Association of Spanish Footballers”, Spanish outlet Marca have outlined the price Messi may have to pay.
The report states that a ‘serious offence’ occurs when a player “abandons work” on two occasions “without cause”.
A third absence can reportedly result in in 11 days of his salary being withdrawn or a fine of 25 per cent of his monthly wages, as well as a “total suspension”.
A quarter of Messi’s monthly wage works out at just over £1.1m from his £54m annual salary.
An 11 day fine would also see the 33-year-old docked around £1.6m. Messi is believed to be edging towards a move to Manchester City as part of a five-year plan.
According to Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri, the Premier League club are willing to spend £450million after taxes to bring Messi to England.
