- FC Barcelona has been fined just €300 ($328) after being found guilty of breaking the rules during its pursuit of $131 million striker Antoine Griezmann.
- Griezmann joined Barca in July after months of speculation he was set to move, leading Atletico to submit a complaint to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) about an apparent illegal approach, according to ESPN.
- The RFEF has now upheld Atletico’s complaint, however it has fined Barcelona just $328.
- Griezmann, who has scored three goals and produced two assists in his first six games for the club, was cleared of any wrongdoing.
- Read more of our soccer stories here.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
FC Barcelona has been fined just €300 ($328) after being found guilty of breaking the rules during its pursuit of $131 million striker Antoine Griezmann.
The France international joined Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in July, after the Catalan club triggered the release clause in his contract.
The move followed months of speculation that Griezmann was Camp Nou bound, leading Atletico to make a complaint to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), claiming Barcelona had approached the player illegally, according to ESPN.
The RFEF has now upheld Atletico’s complaint deeming it to have begun negotiations with Griezmann whilst he was still under contract and without permission. However, it has fined Barca just $328.
An official statement posted on Thursday reads: "This committee is aware that the fine of 300 euros, besides the symbolic nature of it, won't lead the sanctioned club and probably other clubs in the same situation in the future to follow the regulations, but this isn't sufficient reason for the committee to opt for another sanction - such as the proposed closure of the stadium - as that is for infractions of another nature."
Griezmann was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Griezmann has had a mixed start to his Barcelona career since his switch from Atletico.
The Frenchman, who helped France lift the World Cup trophy last summer, has found the net three times and produced two assists in his first six games, however has ended up on the winning side on just three of those occasions.
Barcelona next takes on Getafe CF at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday September 28.
Read more: