Dutch legend slams Barca ‘mafia’

BARCELONA – A Dutch legend has hit out at FC Barcelona’s treatment of midfielder Frenkie de Jong, describing the club as behaving like the mafia.

De Jong’s future has turned into quite a saga following Barca’s latest attempt to get him off their books.

Ealier this month, the Spanish giants reportedly served the player with a letter indicating that he needs to declare his current contract invalid, with the club alleging that the terms of his deal, produced by the team’s previous Board led by Josep Maria Bartomeu, involved criminality and, therefore, grounds for legal action against the playmaker and those involved in putting the contract together.

The Catalans are understood to be keen to part ways with the 25-year-old as he is considered their most sellable asset, making him key to relieving their wage bill for more signings to

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LONDON - Ryan Giggs’s lawyers yesterday denied the ex-Manchester United star deliberately elbowed his ex-girlfriend’s sister in the jaw during a bust-up at his £1.7 million mansion. Giggs’ barrister, Christopher Daw QC, yesterday suggested any contact between the ex-footballer and Emma Greville, as she tried to separate him from her sister, was accidental. The former Wales midfielder (48) is on trial accused of assaulting ex-partner Kate Greville and her sister Emma during an incident at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, in November 2020.

Xhaka praises Jesus

LONDON - Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has reserved special praise for new striker Gabriel Jesus after his brace against Leicester City. The Gunners swept aside Brendan Rodgers’ men 4-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with Jesus scoring two and assisting two on his competitive home debut. The Brazilian set the tone in pre-season, netting seven times but was unable to get on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s 2-0 opening day win at Crystal Palace.

Klopp baffled

LIVERPOOL – Jurgen Klopp has remarked that he ‘doesn’t understand’ how Barcelona can continue signing new players amid the financial insecurity at the Catalan club.

Barcelona have endured a series of well-publicised financial difficulties this summer, as club President Joan Laporta attempts to balance the books for the 2022/23 LaLiga campaign.

Afghanistan level series

IRELAND - Afghanistan sent a five-match Twenty20 series against Ireland to a decider with a 27-run victory yesterday in a match reduced to 11 overs-a-side by rain. Najibullah Zadran’s 50 off 24 balls and Rashid Khan’s 31 not out from 10 deliveries set an impressive total for the tourists of 132-6. Ireland got off to a flying start through openers Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie, but once they departed inside four overs, George Dockrell’s unbeaten 41 was the only resistance to a dominant Afghanistan bowling performance. come, including the potential arrival of Bernardo Silva from Manchester City, who is considered a priority for manager Xavi Hernandez.

With the Blaugrana still owing De Jong millions in deferred wages, though, former Netherlands attacker Rafael van der Vaart has now spoken out against the LaLiga side’s antics, calling for them to be punished.

Treat

“You can’t treat people like this,” the ex-Real Madrid star told Ziggo Sport.

“Frenkie earns too much? First, you sign a contract and then you fulfil it or you leave on good terms, but it is not like that.

“This (Barcelona) is a mafia and they have to be punished.

“The name of Barca has come out of it looking very bad. It is a great club and everyone wants to play there.

“But from here on we are judging it in a different way and, to me, it’s a disgrace when you play for them.”